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Hunstanton RNLI hovercraft goes down a storm at station flag day

Lifeboats News Release

A Norfolk lifeboat crew flew their hovercraft in for their station's annual flag day.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer flew in for its station's annual flag day
Volunteers from Hunstanton RNLI and the town's Lifeboat Guild took to the Prom and the High Street to collect donations for the charity that saves lives at sea on Saturday, 26 August.

The station's hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer drew a steady stream of visitors on the beach.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Rigil Kent said: 'The feedback from the hovercraft was really positive.

'People were very supportive throughout the day and their donations will help us save lives.'

Donations collected on the day are still being counted.

Hunstanton is one of just four stations around the coastline who operate a hovercraft.

Its volunteer crew train constantly to meet the challenges they face ranging from people cut off by the tide, to assisting vessels in difficulty and those aboard them or searching for missing persons.

They are supported by volunteers including launch crew, shore crew and tractor drivers, along with the station's visits team, shore safety team, souvenir shop staff and members of the Hunstanton Lifeboat Guild who organise fund raising events.

Notes for editor

Since Hunstanton's current station opened in 1979, its inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and her predecessors have helped save 140 lives and render assistance to more than 600 people who found themselves in difficulty or in danger.

In 2003, she was joined by the hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer, which has since then been launched 250 times, saved 13 lives and assisted a further 150 people.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641.

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.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton RNLI volunteer crew member Lewis Clelland out collecting on flag day

RNLI/Chris Bishop

From left volunteers Paul Stewart, Rigil Kent, Lewis Clelland and Dave Clelland collecting for the Hunstanton RNLI flag day

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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