Southwold RNLI Ball and Auction success
Following months of hard work and generous support from local businesses and the community, Southwold RNLI 200th Anniversary Ball and Auction was held on Saturday 15 June, raising over £13,500 for the charity.
An online auction held in the two weeks preceding the ball and finishing at 10pm on the night added to the total raised.
On arrival, guests were treated to songs from the Lowestoft Longshoremen while they enjoyed welcome drinks and a selection of canapes.
The main meal of Roast Pork loin was expertly carved by members of the crew wearing RNLI aprons, before dessert, a selection of gelato and a beautiful RNLI cake made by one of the Sole Bay swimmers, Mili Mendez.
The auction was a highlight of the evening, with auctioneer Day Harvey interacting with the guests and the auction lots generating some competitive bidding.
All that was left was to dance the night away to the music of the band Agent Orange.
Following the event Lisa Cooper-Dann Chair of Southwold & Dunwich RNLI Fundraisers gave thanks to all involved: 'I am immensely grateful to everyone who made this event an outstanding success. Local food suppliers donated produce, and local businesses sponsored other elements of the evening, enabling us to raise vital funds for the RNLI even before the event began. A luxury raffle and live auction were tremendous successes, followed by dancing and merriment all around.
'Over £13,500 was raised for Southwold RNLI, a substantial contribution to keeping our lifeboat services operational here in Southwold. The support is invaluable and deeply appreciated by myself, the fundraisers, volunteers, and our lifeboat crew. Our big year of fundraising is not over yet so watch this space!'
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 142,700 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.