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Anchor Housing and mascot Charles push the boat out for Seahouses RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Seahouses RNLI Lifeboat Station got a new crew member to join them on their regular training exercise to Holy Island on Monday evening 21 August, 2023.

Seahouses Anchor Housing Bear “Charles” in RNLI Kit, Monica Chambers (standing below “Charles”in yellow coat), and residents and supporters from Chapel Court at Seahouses. Crew member Dr Jeremy Evans looking on.

RNLI/Ian Clayton

Seahouses Anchor Housing Bear “Charles” in RNLI Kit, Monica Chambers (standing below “Charles”in yellow coat), and residents and supporters from Chapel Court at Seahouses. Crew member Dr Jeremy Evans looking on.
A giant bear called Charles, the charity mascot for Anchor Housing at Chapel Court, Seahouses called in to join the evening’s training session.

Charles quickly kitted up in oilskins and lifejacket, before going aboard the Seahouses All Weather Lifeboat RNLB John and Elizabeth Allan. Coxswain Craig Pringle had lots of drills planned for him!

Charles is the mascot for a fund-raising project by Anchor Housing, to support local charities. The Harbour Artists had also held an artwork exhibition in Anchor Housing, with funds raised to support Seahouses RNLI.

Monica Chambers and her colleagues from Chapel Court attended the Lifeboat Station, to ensure Charles took note of the Coxswain’s briefing before setting sail to Holy Island.
The group then went on the slip to see the Lifeboat launching with Charles aboard.

Seahouses RNLI Press Officer Ian Clayton said: 'We were delighted to be included in Anchor Housing’s project to support local charities, and to benefit from the Harbour Artists’ Exhibition. We currently enjoy some great support from the residents there. I believe Charles was the first bear to actually join our crew on exercise!'

Notes to editors
  • The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. It is independent of HM Coastguard and the 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.
  • Find out more about the RNLI’s bicentenary at RNLI.org/200.


RNLI/Ian Clayton

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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