Northumberland Freemasons step up to assist in saving lives at sea
Local Freemasons undertook a fundraising walk from Tynemouth to RNLI Blyth Lifeboat Station after a recent visit to RNLI Blyth.
The Freemasons from Cramlington had recently visited RNLI Blyth to hear and see what role the RNLI plays in saving lives at sea. They had a water safety talk followed by a tour around the lifeboat station and gained an understanding of the kit the volunteer crew use together with the uses the two inshore lifeboats on station can be used for.
The visitors then said they would like to assist in fundraising for the charity and undertook a walk from Tynemouth to Blyth Lifeboat Station as part of the RNLI’s Mayday Campaign.
The Northumberland Freemasons then came to RNLI Blyth to present a cheque for £3390.30 and to discuss what role they could play in the future.
As it’s the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary next year the Northumberland Freemason are planning on a bigger walk involving local schools and the community to fundraise for the RNLI.
The donation that has been made is also going to be earmarked in assisting RNLI Blyth in continuing to save lives at sea.
Carl Birkenshaw from Northumberland Freemasons said,’We found out about the family walk, what a pleasure it was to be part of the walk for RNLI helping save lives at sea is so important and worthwhile organisation and raising money to help the Blyth crew was a pleasure. Northumberland Freemasons support local charities throughout the northeast.’
Joe Mitchell, Area Lifesaving Manager at the RNLI said; ‘It’s fantastic that the Northumberland Freemasons wish to assist RNLI Blyth in saving lives at sea through our volunteers at the lifeboat station. We will ensure that the monies raised will be put in good use.’
Henry Thompson, RNLI Blyth Visits Officer said; ‘We are very grateful for the donation that the Northumberland Freemasons have made. We are welcome their involvement in assisting to spread the word about our water safety messages following their visit to our lifeboat station.’
Should you wish to visit RNLI Blyth lifeboat station to see what the volunteer crew do and learn the RNLI’s water safety messages, please email [email protected]
For more information please contact:
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please telephone Robin Palmer, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07801 290638 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer (North and East) on 07824 518641 or [email protected]
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 142,700 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.