New volunteers needed in Chester to help RNLI save lives at sea

Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew. Volunteers are the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and without them, the organisation couldn’t continue to save lives at sea.

But it’s not all about volunteering on lifeboats or at a station, there are many other ways people can give a little or a lot of their time to support the RNLI and make their own lifesaving difference.

Bryan Hughes is a heritage volunteer, a fundraising research volunteer and also part of the fundraising team at Chester. He also lends his support in the New Brighton area. He is offering advice to anyone thinking of becoming involved.

‘Amaze yourself with what you can get involved in and achieve with the friendly support and help that is provided. As the RNLI’s founder, William Hillary, said “With courage nothing is impossible”. There are a plethora of volunteering roles and activities. Speak with other volunteers or ask for a ‘taster session’; particularly if you are uncertain what the role might involve or be like.

‘Whether working alone or as part of a team, you would be working as one small part of a well-respected organisation with a worthwhile common purpose – saving lives at sea. Within that overarching principle, I love the public interaction and a total belief in our common cause. Meeting people volunteers and public from various walks of life makes it enjoyable.’

Nick Evans RNLI Fundraising Partnership Lead said:

‘Without our volunteers, the RNLI simply would not be able to operate the way it does today. With 92% of the RNLI’s income coming from donations, the charity relies on the generosity of supporters and on the dedication of our fundraising volunteers to help raise essential funds. Thousands of community fundraising volunteers organise a wide range of activities and events each year, contributing their time, energy and skills to raise money to save lives at sea. Some of our fundraisers have been volunteering for many years while some just join us for a few months in the year depending on what their commitments allow.

‘We now really need to bolster that support and grow our volunteer fundraising crew. If you like to have fun, enjoy meeting new people and want to join a motivated and enthusiastic team, we encourage you to find out more and apply. You will learn new skills, gain experience and have the rewarding satisfaction of giving back. The RNLI will also provide all the necessary training and support so you can carry out your chosen role effectively.’

To find out more about how you can sign up to be a fundraising volunteer at the RNLI, or to apply, click on this link rnli.org/OneCrewVolunteers

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Pictured is Bryan Hughes, heritage Volunteer, a fundraising research volunteer with the Chester RNLI branch.

RNLI media contacts 

For more information, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager for Wales, the West and the Isle of Man on 07786 668829 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 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.