
RNLI Skegness crew members attend heroes concert in Leicester
RNLI Skegness Launch Authority Brad Johnson and crew member Alex Collins attended the Bardi Symphony Orchestra's Heroes Concert at De Montfort Hall in Leicester on Sunday 11 June.
The charity event, presented in association with the Oadby and Wigston Lions Club, raised money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The final total is still being finalised but should be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Brad Johnson took to the stage to give a speech about his role as a crew member and the important work of the RNLI. The Bardi Wind Orchestra, celebrating its 30th anniversary season, performed an action-packed program titled "Heroes! Action and adventure from the Movies," conducted by David Calow. Vocal soloists David Morris and Rebecca Temple, along with compere Colin Blackler, also contributed to the event's success.
'It's truly wonderful to be chosen as the charity for this year's concert by the Oadby Wigston Lions,' said Brad Johnson, Deputy Launching Authority at RNLI Skegness. 'It's heartwarming to see so many people come together to support our lifesaving work.'
Nikki Wrench, Community Manager, added: 'Having the Skegness crew here in Leicester alongside the Leicester Fundraising Branch is a great opportunity to raise awareness for our cause. We're grateful for the support we've received from the Bardi Symphony Orchestra and the Oadby and Wigston Lions Club.'
During the Bardi Symphony Orchestra's Heroes Concert, RNLI volunteers Brad and Alex from Skegness were interviewed by Colin. Despite the scorching summer heat, Alex wore his heavy RNLI yellow crew equipment on stage, while Brad shared that he had just finished a volunteer shift earlier that morning.
Conductor David Calow added a touch of humour by wearing bright yellow RNLI wellies during his performance, and even a model lifeboat was displayed outside De Montfort Hall in the sunshine.
The Orchestra was founded by Robert and David Calow from the extended wind, brass and percussion of the Bardi Symphony Orchestra in 1992. The Bardi Wind Orchestra's annual charity gala, with its diverse musical selections, effectively highlighted the invaluable work of the RNLI volunteers.
The programme for the concert included appropriate titles such as The Magnificent Seven, Band of Brothers, the Superman March and The Great Escape but perhaps the most appropriate piece had to be The Padstow Lifeboat, a march by English composer Malcolm Arnold complete with fog horn effects.
Notes to editors
The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Skegness RNLI is based on Tower Esplanade, Skegness. The lifeboat station was founded in 1825 and the volunteer crew use an all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Joel and April Grunnill and D class lifeboat The Holland Family.
RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact:
Brad Johnson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for lifeboat station RNLI on [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.
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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.