
Staithes and Runswick RNLI’s auction raises over £6,000
Staithes and Runswick RNLI’s Easter Sunday auction was heralded as a huge success and raised over £6,000 for the lifeboat station. This was thanks to the support of not only bidders but those who generously donated a magnificent selection of items to support the RNLI lifeboats lifesaving efforts.
The money will be used to help the volunteer crews continue to save lives at sea.
Kindly hosted by the Cod and Lobster by the harbour in Staithes, which was busy with donators and bidders alike, 79 lots went under the hammer, with auctioneer Caroline Hawley giving her time and expertise for free and taking to the rostrum for over two hours.
The quality and variety of lots was, as ever, amazing. This year particularly following Covid restrictions, and it being the first auction in aid of Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat in three years, the number of lots donated and variety, with items such as original artwork, prints, framed photographs, clothing and books to name but a few, has been encouraging and massively appreciated.
Perhaps the furthest travelled items were those donated by a couple from America, who had visited Staithes, these being a fossilised dinosaur bone set in a sterling silver pendant, and a fossilised shark tooth, which were gathered in Utah and California, respectively. Experiences such as a tour of ICL’s Boulby Potash Mine and breaks in cottages within the village were also amongst the eclectic lots.
Hawley, who has been a long-time supporter of Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat, famous for her appearances on BBC’s Bargain Hunt, said this of the evening: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to have done this fabulous auction for the Staithes and Runswick RNLI. This is the first one we’ve done for three years due to interruptions with Covid.
‘It’s been better than ever, the prices have been fantastic, the attendance has been amazing, I’ve never seen so many people here. It’s just been absolutely incredible, and we’ve been so lucky to have fabulous donations from many different people. I’m deeply grateful to everybody for their contribution to the evening and their very generous payments for these lots. See you next year!’
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact James Stoker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
RNLI Picture caption
The attached image shows Caroline Hawley during the 2023 Staithes and Runswick RNLI auction. Credit: RNLI / James Stoker.
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.
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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.