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Blackpool RNLI celebrate Volunteers Week following busy weekend

Lifeboats News Release

The first week of June (1-7) is volunteers week and Blackpool RNLI is celebrating this with highlighting our volunteers. The past weekend in Blackpool has seen the volunteer life boat crews deploy five times in three days, making it a very busy weekend

Blackpool lifeboat launching into the sea

RNLI

Blackpool lifeboat launching

Whilst recognising the brave boat crews that put to sea saving lives at all times of the day, it is an opportunity to recognise the volunteers whose time and effort goes into the RNLI operation at Blackpool.

This includes the mechanics, the drivers, the launch authorities, the shore crew, the shop volunteers and the fund raisers. All play critical parts to the Blackpool RNLI Team.

David Warburton, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Blackpool said:

‘When a lifeboat goes to sea with the volunteer crews, there is a network of volunteers that respond with them. We cannot operate without them’.

An important role of the volunteers is fundraising and raising awareness of water safety to the public, through visits and presentations. The Blackpool RNLI Shop and Visitor Centre resourced is wholly by volunteers, giving up their time to help save lives at sea. The shop and visitors centre is located at the Boathouse on the Promenade in the shadow of Blackpool Tower, and is open seven days a week in the summer months.

Notes to editors

· Blackpool RNLI is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who freely give their time to ensuring the response of the three lifeboats.

· The RNLI as a whole is made up of 95% volunteers

· Photos attached – 1. Blackpool RNLI Atlantic launch 2. Blackpool RNLI inshore lifeboat launch 3. Blackpool RNLI shop and visitor centre.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Steve Fitzgerald Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Blackpool on [email protected] / 07308 255949 or Claire Elshaw, Regional Media Officer on [email protected] / 07468353082

Tractor and trailer in the water

RNLI

Blackpool's tractor in operation
Shop front in Blackpool

RNLI

Blackpool RNLI's shop and visitor centre

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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