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Scarborough RNLI answered the Mayday call to help raise vital funds

Lifeboats News Release

Several crew and their families from Scarborough Lifeboat Station took part as a team for the RNLI’s Mayday fundraising campaign during May raising £2086 so far.

RNLI/Nick Gough

photo of some of the crew having a final walk of 2024 mayday mile
Many people took to the Mayday Mile this year with over 4812 entrants, and so far the total raised is excess of £463,000 and donations are still coming in.

The total distance travelled out of all the entrants taking part in this year's Mayday Mile is in excess of 112,000 miles. Out of these totals the Scarborough lifeboat team consisting of several of the crew and their families have raised £2086 and have covered 1467 miles.

What this means for Scarborough RNLI is the team have raised enough money to fully protect a inshore (ILB) crew member with all the clothing and safety items so they can continue to save lives at sea on the D class lifeboat.

Cost breakdown for an inshore lifeboat crew kit:

• Drysuit for ILB crew member £804

• Thermal suit for ILB crew member £230

• Lifejacket £590

• Helmet £350

• Seagoing gloves £25

The RNLI has revealed its lifeboats launched more than 9,100 times in 2023. Funds raised will help support the charity’s vital lifesaving work, including the provision of important training and kit for volunteer lifeboat crews who readily respond to emergency calls and go to sea to save others whenever the call for help comes in.

As most of the crew were having to complete their walks while carrying a pager and had to be able to respond if required, a lot of the crew did their daily walks around the harbour and seafront meeting other crew and their families at the same time. On the final day some of the crew and their families met up for a final walk around the harbour and south bay and were spoilt by a display of bottle nose dolphins breaching and leaping.

Roger Buxton, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Scarborough, said: ‘Summer is the busiest time of year for the RNLI, with thousands of people at risk of getting into danger by the water.

'Having recently marked the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, the crew and many other people have helped to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today and into the future’.

‘I am immensely proud of the team and other entrants for stepping up this year, as a charity we rely on the generosity of the public to take part in events like the Mayday Mile and raise the funds that allow us to be there when we’re needed most.’

The RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser began on Monday 1 May and ran for the whole month across the UK and Ireland.

You can still support Scarborough Lifeboat Stations team at https://fundraise.rnli.org/st/970/7446

Notes to editors

Scarborough lifeboat station has been operating since 1801. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

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

RNLI/Nick Gough

Scarborough amuture rowing club assisnting the crew at the start of the Mayday Mile

RNLI/Nick Gough

RNLI/Nick Gough

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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