
Port Talbot RNLI car wash fundraiser hailed a great success
On Sunday 9 June, volunteer crew at Port Talbot RNLI turned up in full force to provide a car washing service to the local community.
This year marks 200 years of saving lives at sea for the RNLI charity. Although RNLI crews and fundraisers usually host a number of fundraising events throughout the year, this years events are particularly important as the charity commemorates its history and celebrates the modern lifesaving service that the RNLI provides.
Fundraising is vital in helping the RNLI to power its lifesaving work. The RNLI is independent of the government and purely relies on voluntary donations. Each crew kit costs around £3,000 and annual training costs per crew member is approximately £1,450 so every penny is much needed.
Volunteer Helm James Jennings proposed a car wash fundraiser as they had been very popular in previous years. James explained every penny raised from the simple act of washing a car will save lives at sea.
He says:
'Not only do our crew drop everything day to day when the pager sounds but they also give up even more of the most valuable resource time to fundraise’
James and fellow volunteer crew members all pulled together to organise an inspiring fundraiser between 10am and 3pm, £6 a car and £8 a van. Whilst supporters waited for their cars to be cleaned they had the chance to browse the gift shop which is open seven days a week by a group of 30 volunteers, buy coffee and cake and take part in a raffle.
One of the raffle prizes was a beautiful painting by a local artist of a lifeboat at sea.
In total the event raised a whopping £735 beating the monies raised at the last car wash back in 2019.
Special thanks go out from the crew to all of the supporters that came down to have their cars cleaned, bought a cake and raffle ticket.
Media contacts
For more information please contact Kirstee David, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith Regional Communications Manager on 07977728315 or [email protected] Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].
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.