Sheerness RNLI Coxswain Paul Jarvis and crew member Jack Smedley enjoyed a visit to West Minster Primary School, St Georges Avenue, Sheerness on 30 March 2022, where they spoke to the children in year 2 classes (Snapdragon, Daisy and Marigold) about the role of the RNLI in saving lives at sea. Paul and Jack told the children about their local lifeboat station at Sheerness and took along lots of equipment for them to look at and try on.
Stacey Spokes from Westminster Primary Primary School who organised the visit said: “Thank you so much for taking the time to come in to our school and speak to the children in Year 2. Having spoken to the class teachers and the children it is clear how much they enjoyed and learnt from your talk. The children have spent most of their lunch time telling other adults and children in the school that they got to meet "real life lifeboat men!" One child even stated "I cannot believe I got to wear their uniform; I am going to be a RNLI man when I grow up". You both made a very positive impression on them all”.
RNLI Sheerness spokesman Vic. Booth said : " it was great to see the excitement on the children's faces, especially when they put on the various items of kit the guys took along. By making these visits a fun occasion for the children they will hopefully take on board the vital work done by the RNLI and eventually fulfil the dream of becoming a crew member"
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
