Fishguard RNLI volunteers celebrate successful open day
Volunteers at the charity’s Fishguard lifeboat station hosted their annual open day to bumper crowd and raise vital funds to save lives at sea.
Saturday 17 August 2024 saw Fishguard RNLI once again open its doors to the public and with the support of Stena, opened the North breakwater for the annual station open day and breakwater walk.
Visitors were treated to a range of live entertainment, refreshments, a display of model boats, games and an opportunity to chat to crew and see the lifeboats up close.
The stations current relief D-Class inshore lifeboat was on display as the station’s usual vessel is away for refit, and Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII was moored alongside the pontoon for visitors to board and tour. An added bonus lifeboat put in an appearance as flank station Cardigan brought their B-Class Atlantic 85 in support of the event.
Walkers on the breakwater were also treated to a display by the regular pod of bottlenose dolphins who gave visitors fantastic views as they frolicked close inshore.
In total a record 865 visitors took the opportunity to walk the breakwater, with the estimated total number of visitors on the day to be in excess of 1000.
The event itself raised a staggering £3641.95 which will go towards supporting the volunteer crews in maintaining the charity’s lifesaving service.
Cedwyn Rogers, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fishguard RNLI, said:
“Overall it was an amazing day and to see so many people come out to support our event was truly fantastic!
It is our biggest event of the year and our fundraisers put so much into organisation, and crew in to providing support on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly.
We’re also grateful for the support of Stena for allowing access to the breakwater and providing a clear area for visitor parking. We’d like to thank everyone who performed live on the day, crew from Cardigan Lifeboat Station who supported in a number of roles, Fishguard Sea Cadets as parking marshals and everyone who gave up their time to make the event a success.
The support from local businesses, residents and organisations is truly a testament of the community spirit here in North Pembrokeshire.”
Notes to editor:
· Attached photo (Photo 1) shows visitors aboard Fishguard RNLI Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII and the arrival of Cardigan RNLI Albatross (Saturday 17 August 2024) Photo credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers
· Attached photo (Photo 2) shows crew telling visitors about the stations inshore lifeboat and children having the opportunity to dress in kit. (Saturday 17 August 2024) Photo credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers
· Attached photo (Photo 3) shows Fishguard RNLI volunteer Dave getting into the spirit of the day (Saturday 17 August 2024) Photo credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers
· Attached photo (Photo 4) shows local ukulele group The Funky Pluckers entertaining the crowds. (Saturday 17 August 2024) Photo credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers
Media Contacts
For more information please contact Cedwyn Rogers, Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or RNLI Regional Communications Manager Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith on [email protected] / 07977 728 315 or Regional Communications Lead Danielle Rush on [email protected] or 07786 668 829
For out of hours enquiries please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 142,700 lives.
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.