Donate now

Littlehampton RNLI gears up for fun-filled Open Day

Lifeboats News Release

Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station is ready to welcome visitors to its annual Open Day on Sunday 23 July 2023.

Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station next to tourist sign

RNLI/Beth Brooks

Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station

The action-packed day – which is part of Littlehampton Harbour’s Waterfront Festival – will give members of the public the opportunity to find out all about their local RNLI lifeboat station and the vital role its volunteers play in saving lives at sea.

From 10.00am to 4.00pm, visitors will be able to take a closer look at the lifeboat station’s two lifeboats – Renee Sherman and Ray of Hope – tour the boathouse and crew room, meet the crew, and find out what it’s like to be ‘out on a shout’.

Subject to taskings and availability, the crew will conduct a search and rescue demonstration in Littlehampton Harbour. They will also welcome lifeboats from Littlehampton RNLI’s neighbouring lifeboat stations – Shoreham Harbour RNLI and Selsey RNLI – into the harbour*.

Visitors will also be able to find out more about how to stay safe at the coast and in the water from Littlehampton RNLI’s water safety team.

Meanwhile, Littlehampton RNLI’s fundraising crew will host fun activities for all the family, including a race against the clock to dress as quickly as possible in full RNLI crew kit, face painting, Scalextric racing, a scavenger hunt, and a stall selling RNLI goodies. The RNLI’s mascot ‘Stormy Stan’ will also be greeting people at the lifeboat station, alongside his inflatable lifeboat.

Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station is at the very heart of our town and the modern station has been saving lives at sea for more than 50 years. We are all from the local community, so we are always extremely proud to open our doors for our Open Day. It’s a not-to-be-missed opportunity to find out all about our lifesaving work.’

Cian Mathews, Littlehampton RNLI’s Fundraising Chair, added: ‘We’ve got so many activities planned for our Open Day and we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone. I’d encourage everyone to come on down and find out more about how Littlehampton RNLI saves lives at sea in our local waters.’

ENDS

Notes to editors

EVENT: Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station Open Day – part of Littlehampton Harbour’s Waterfront Festival

LOCATION: Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station, Fisherman’s Quay, Surrey Street, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5BL

DATE: Sunday 23 July 2023

TIME: 10.00am to 4.00pm

ADMISSION: Free – all welcome

*Please note that the search and rescue demonstration and visit from our neighbouring lifeboat stations are both subject to taskings and availability.

Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew look after the stretch of the West Sussex coast between Bognor Regis and Worthing. Littlehampton RNLI is independent from the Coastguard and receives no government funding. To find out more about Littlehampton RNLI, see https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2022/april/27/10-facts-about-littlehampton-rnli-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Beth Brooks, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI
07544 209256 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East
07785 296252 [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789.

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.