Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat weekend raises over £11,000 for the charity

The weekend festivities began on Friday evening with the nightgown parade led by the Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra — a tradition from the old Staithes carnivals.

Saturday’s events at Runswick Bay included a raffle, souvenir stall, and a visit from the B class inshore lifeboat, where visitors engaged with the crew and learned about their work.

In Staithes, stalls lined the seafront, the Whitby and Redcar RNLI lifeboats joined the weekend's festivities and afterwards a demonstration by Staithes and Runswick and Redcar RNLI lifeboat crew and officers from HM Coastguard took place.

Contestants gathered with homemade rafts whilst spectators cheered and looked on. Ducks were hooked, raffle tickets and entries to the duck race were sold and an already fun day ended with a concert by Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra and fireworks display by G2 Fireworks of Middlesbrough.

Sunday morning kicked off with the hotly contested duck race, with hundreds of yellow ducks racing down Staithes beck. Crowds lined the route, cheering on their ducks to the finish line. Sunday also featured the draw for the raffle for Lynton Parmar-Hemsley’s framed painting (which raised £1,400), sandcastle building and teddy bears picnics. The winner of the raffle was delighted to be presented with the painting, and they thanked Lynton for an amazing picture and his generosity in donating the painting to be raffled for the local RNLI station.

The weekend ended with two thanksgiving services, despite a brief interruption when the volunteer crew responded to visitors at risk of tidal cut-off.

Colin Harrison, Lifeboat Weekend Coordinator, said of the event: ‘Our lifeboat weekend was favoured with great weather which, combined with the hard work of all our volunteers and supporters, meant that everyone enjoyed a fabulous weekend. On behalf of Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat station, I'd like to thank everybody who supported us.’

Notes to Editor
Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat has been in operation since 1978 with Atlantic B-Class inshore lifeboats (ILB’s). The present ILB at the station B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III has been on station since 2016.

In 2024, the RNLI is celebrating 200 years - and counting, commemorating this remarkable past, celebrating our lifesaving achievements today, and inspiring a future where we can save every one. More information on RNLI 200 can be found at https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024

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For further information, please contact James Stoker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at: [email protected] or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North and East) on 07824 518641 or, [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.

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