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Outstanding year for the Scarborough RNLI shop volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

As the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) comes to the end of its milestone 200th year, the shop volunteers celebrate having a record year with sales up 10 percent so far this year.

RNLI/ John Porter

Shop Volunteers enjoying thier chrismas lunch and celebration

The shop volunteers held their annual Christmas lunch and celebration of their hard work during 2024 at the Mayfield in Seamer recently, where good food was enjoyed by all.

The Scarborough RNLI Shop has seen sales up 10 percent this year and are ranking third across all the shops in the RNLI.

The Betty 5p pots have been another success this year collecting over £5000 in donations to the RNLI.

The shop will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but will be back open on Boxing Day. It is currently open seven-days-a-week from 11.00am until 3.00pm

The shop is still well stocked up and has loads of items for sale that are great for gifts, Christmas cards and 2025 diary and calendars.

On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.

Christmas is a time for family and friends, but the RNLI’s volunteer crews are ready to leave their own celebrations this festive season and answer the call for help.

This year the lifeboat station has several new crew trained up in many different roles, ready to answer the pager call for the first time this Christmas.

Michael Turner, Volunteer Shop Manager said: 'We have a great team here in Scarborough who have worked hard achieving this result. We encourage all to go into our visitor centre where they can learn about our history, see our all- weather lifeboat and learn vital water safety messaging. There’s also the opportunity to pop into the shop and purchase their souvenirs.

'In addition to the hard work from the shop volunteers we couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public which fund the kit, training and equipment we need to save others and get our crew home safely to their families.’

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal

*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 December – 1 January inclusive

Notes to editors 

Scarborough lifeboat station has been operating since 1801. The crews have received 35 awards for gallantry and today the station operates a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and a D class inshore lifeboat.
To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: 
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts 

Nick Gough RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07939025881 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

RNLI/ John Porter

Shop Volunteers enjoying thier chrismas lunch and celebration

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.

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