
RNLI wellbeing service receives generous donation for life saving support
Taunton Freemasons Emergency Services branch raises £1,600 to support the RNLI’s wellbeing initiative.
On Friday, 19 April 2024, Graeme Clark, the lodge president of Taunton Freemasons Emergency Services branch presented RNLI’s occupational health and wellbeing manager, Michelle Johnson, with a large cheque to support the charity's wellbeing initiative.
In May 2023, the Freemasons held a fundraising ball that raised £1,600 for the RNLI. They specifically requested it go toward supporting the wellbeing of our volunteers.
Adam Dixon, the RNLI’s Trauma Risk Management Delivery Manager is keen to put this to use straight away, saying:
‘I would like to express our gratitude to Emergency Services Lodge No. 9391 for their generous donation. This contribution will enable us to recruit and train a new Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) practitioner to enhance our peer support service. This valuable service offers support to our staff and volunteers in the aftermath of potentially traumatic service calls.
'We will waste no time recruiting and training this new team member. Their addition will significantly improve our service coverage along the east coast of England, spanning from Grimsby to Hunstanton. This additional resilience is especially crucial as we prepare for peak service demand during the summer months. Thank you once again for your invaluable support.’
The RNLI has identified a need for support on the north east coast of the UK. The funds raised will be used to train a TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) practitioner in the region. This will help support RNLI volunteer crews to continue with the charity's ultimate aim of saving lives at sea.
TRiM training is available to all members of the RNLI and their families. It allows crew to identify signs of distress in themselves or their colleagues and act early to promote and support a culture of psychological wellbeing and resilience.
Graeme Clarke, lodge president speaks on the fundraising ball and his support for the RNLI. He says:
‘Last year, when I was worshipful master for the year, we held a charity ball at a local establishment and raised just under £3,500. This was split between the RNLI and a local charity.
'My wife and I have had family ties to the charity which go back many years. When it was my year in the chair and I had to choose charities that were of interest to me, the RNLI was at the forefront.'
'I was once rescued by a lifeboat, whilst on a speed boat with a friend. They do a fantastic job and it’s nice to be able to give something back.’
If you would like to support the RNLI’s volunteer crew, please click on the links below.
Link to donate: Make a One-Off Donation - Donations To The RNLI
RNLI Membership: RNLI Membership - Join our lifesaving family
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For more information please email Izzy Coley, RNLI Media Engagement Placement – South East Region on [email protected] or telephone RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 144,000 lives.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.