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It’s sunshine all the way as Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Week raises £34,000

Lifeboats News Release

Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis, which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RNLI lifesaving charity since the 1970s, came to an end this year on 2 August with organisers ‘delighted’ with an estimated gross total of £34,000 in donations raised during the seven days.

Dave Holland wears his Hot Dog suit

Love Lyme Regis

Crew member Dave Holland’s hot dog went to his head.

Treasurer Brian Cursley said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with this very respectable result which will go a long way towards helping the RNLI’s pledge to save lives at sea.’

Mr Cursley had another reason for celebration during Lifeboat Week. Newly appointed RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes visited the lifeboat station on 1 August and presented Mr Cursley with his 20 year long service volunteer medal.

Sunshine all week saw the resort town packed from day one when the event was officially opened by TV personality Jules Hudson, presenter of the BBC series Escape to the Country. Time-honoured events such as the duck race on the River Lym, the bathtub crews paddling from Cobb Gate to the harbour and the fun run along the seafront all played their part in a successful week. And there were many other highlights ranging from the opportunity to meet the lifeboat crew aboard their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne to scoring a goal past the charity’s mascot Stormy Stan. ‘Conger Cuddling’ also returned to the schedule this year after a long absence,

Chairman of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Supporters Ken Lavery said: ‘It was a superb week and yet again we thank the many thousands who gave so generously to our charity. Visitors, residents and businesses all supported our week, and many told us they loved both the old favourites and the new events.

‘I would also pay tribute to all those volunteers – the supporters and the lifeboat crew – who worked tirelessly before and during the week to make those seven days such a success.’

Ends

Notes to editors

  • Phot 1 – Crew member Dave Holland’s hot dog went to his head. Photo credit: Love Lyme Regis

  • Phot2 – Brian Cursley receiving his long service award from RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes. Also pictured, Mrs Jo Cursley. Photo credit: Nick Marks.

  • Phot 3 – Lifeboat crew stage a joint exercise with RNLI lifeguards. Photo credit: Love Lyme Regis.

  • Phot 4 – They're off ! - start of the fun run. Photo credit: Love Lyme Regis.

  • Phot 5 – Bathtub race winners once again – Lyme Regis firefighters. Photo credit Love Lyme Regis.

  • Phot 6 – Crew member Giles Bristow successfully tosses a breakfast pancake during Pirate Day. Photo credit: Richard Horobin.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Nick Marks volunteer lifeboat press officer at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station on 07568 187582 or [email protected], or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Nick Marks

Brian Cursley receiving his medal from RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes. Also Pictures Mrs Jo Cursley

Love Lyme Regis

Lifeboat crew stage a joint exercise with RNLI lifeguards
Runners starting the fun run

Love Lyme Regis

They're Off ! Start of the fun run
Lyme Regis firefighters paddling in the bathtub race

Love Lyme Regis

Bathtub race winners once again – Lyme Regis firefighters
crew member tossing a breakfast pancake

Richard Horobin

Crew member Giles Bristow successfully tosses a breakfast pancake during Pirate Day.

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.