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Triplet trebles fundraising target

Lifeboats News Release

Walmer RNLI supporter has head shaved to raise funds.

RNLI/Christopher Winslade

On Friday evening, 31 March, local supporter Rachel Tappenden braved the drizzly weather to have her head shaved to help raise vital funds for the RNLI. Triplet Rachel, surrounded by her friends, family, lifeboat volunteers and coastguards attended the station where she had her head shaved by stylists from The Cutting Room in Deal, her first haircut for over 15 years. Initially aiming to raise £500, she has currently raised an amazing £1892, more than trebling her target.

The hair is being donated to the Little Princess Trust which provides free real hair wigs to children and adults up to the age of 24 who have lost their hair through cancer treatments and other conditions.

Rachel, whose husband also volunteers at Deal Coastguard, has been volunteering for over 12 years at Deal Sea Scouts as an assistant Beaver leader and also helps out with Explorers during the boating season. She said, ‘As a keen kayaker and sailor of small dinghies, I chose the lifeboat as I have lived in Deal and Walmer for most of my life and have seen the amazing job the RNLI do in keeping boaters and kayakers safe along the coast. I believe these volunteers carry out an essential emergency service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, acting without expectations.’

Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station

Photo 1 Rachel Tappenden before the haircut

Photo 2 Waiting in anticipation

Photo 3 The final result


RNLI media contacts

  • Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
  • For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]


RNLI/Christopher Winslade

RNLI/Christopher Winslade

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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