Southwold Lifeboat Day 2024

Southwold RNLI volunteers were joined by the Beach Lifeguards and Aldeburgh RNLI for their 2024 Lifeboat Day.

Events began with a demonstration in front of the Town, with Southwold's Atlantic 85 Annie Tranmer, joined by the Aldeburgh Mersey Class Freddie Cooper and the Beach Lifeguards in their Arancia class inshore rescue boat (IRB). Southwold Sailing Club also kindly loaned their rescue boat as a casualty vessel.

The demo included the rescue of casualties in the water by the lifeguards, a simulated engine fire, a casualty in a liferaft and much more as the lifeboat crews and lifeguards entertained the crowds on the beach, promenade and clifftop for an hour.

During the display the Southwold lifeboat was tasked to attend a Paddle Board being blown offshore, a mile down the coast at Walberswick, before they returned to rejoin in time for the final photographs with Stormy Stan, the RNLI's mascot.

The lifeboats returned to the station where the public were invited to meet the crew, view the boats, tour the station and enjoy the delicious cakes, kindly provide by the Sole Bay Swimmers.

The day concluded with a luxury Raffle, before the boathouse doors were closed on another successful Lifeboat Day.

Southwold Lifeboat Day raised a total of £2621 and Chair of the Southwold & Dunwich Fundraisers Lisa Dann said: 'Lifeboat Day on Saturday was a tremendous success, thanks to the fantastic collaboration of the lifeboat crew, lifeguards, and fundraising team.

'The collections around town, demonstrations, and open station set a strong foundation for future events. We're thrilled to announce that we raised over £2,600 for our local crew, which will help keep us safe at sea. Thank you to everyone who enjoyed and supported the day.'

Southwold Lifeboat Operations Manager, Simon Hazelgrove said: 'A truly brilliant display of what we all train so hard to do. It was a spectacular event. Lisa and her amazing team collected over £2,600 from raffle and buckets. £500 more than last year. There are too many thank yous to list but it is humbling to know that we have that level of support in our group and community.'

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 142,700 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.