
Mayday. Put your best foot forward and help the RNLI keep people safe
With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the RNLI is putting out its own Mayday call ahead of May Day (tomorrow, Monday 1 May) as it prepares to face another busy summer.
Last year, lifeboats located at the RNLI’s 46 stations across the island of Ireland, launched 1,061 times, with its crews carrying out hundreds of rescues.
It’s so easy to take part in the Mayday Mile and support the RNLI’s lifesavers. Simply complete your challenge each day, every day this May, wherever and however you like – walk, jog, hop or skip!
Funds raised through the Mayday Mile will help RNLI lifesavers have everything they need to keep families safe this summer. Warmer weather draws more people to the water, and RNLI lifeboat crews will drop whatever they’re doing when a call for help comes in.
Speaking ahead of the fundraiser which starts tomorrow, Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region in Ireland says: ‘Summer is our busiest time of year with thousands of people at risk of getting into danger by the water. Ordinary people just enjoying days out with family or friends. Mayday is our own call for help as we rely on the generosity of the public to take part in events like the Mayday Mile and raise the funds that allow us to be there when we’re needed most. But we need to be ready. Training, kit, stations, fuel, these are just some of the things we need to save lives, and that your fundraising can help provide.’
James Mullen, a Coxswain at Clifden RNLI added: ‘We are indebted to everyone taking on this fundraising challenge in May because we know it will make a difference. Whether you decide to walk, run, skip or swim, your fundraising efforts will ensure volunteer lifeboat crews like ours have all we need to launch our lifeboats to the rescue and be ready when the call comes in to help someone in need.’
The RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser begins tomorrow, Monday 1 May and will run for the whole month.
Sign up for the Mayday Mile now and find out more at rnli.org/SupportMayday
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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.