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School boy inspired to support his local RNLI lifeboat station

Lifeboats News Release

Ollie Fullarton aged 11 recently visited RNLI Blyth where he handed over a donation of £50 that he had raised.

RNLI/Robin Palmer

Ollie Fullarton with volunteer crew members Jason Woodhouse and Paul Whittle.

Ollie, who goes New Delaval Primary School, had visited the lifeboat station previously to gain an understanding of the work of the RNLI and also learn key water safety messages.

The school council then raised funds via Betty 5p pots, but Ollie also wanted to do something himself.

Under his own initiative his came up with the idea of a raffle for a Mother’s Day hamper and raised £50.

Wanting to come down and present the money to the station himself, Ollie popped in last Sunday knowing that this is one of the training days for the volunteer crew.

The volunteer crew were more than delighted to show him the two inshore lifeboats at the station and to even have his photo taken on the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat.

Henry Thompson, Lifeboat Visits Officer for RNLI Blyth said, ‘It was fantastic to see Ollie at the lifeboat staton on Sunday. To hear that he has raised £50 for the RNLI after he had visited the station with his school is really pleasing. Donations like this help our volunteer crew to continue saving lives at sea.’

Ollie Fullarton said,’I really enjoyed visiting the lifeboat station and meeting the crew. One day I hope that I can join the RNLI but I have to wait a few years. I’ve learnt a lot about the RNLI the work they do and how to stay safe around the water.’

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Robin Palmer, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07801 290638 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer (North and East) on 07824 518641 or [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 33

RNLI/Robin Palmer

Volunteer crew member Paul Whittle with Ollie Fullarton

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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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.