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RNLI launches ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ prize draw for lifeboat experience

Lifeboats News Release

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has launched an exciting fundraising prize draw, offering one lucky individual and their guest the rare opportunity to join volunteer crew aboard a Shannon-class lifeboat on a historic journey from Liverpool to Manchester.

This exclusive passage, set to take place on Wednesday 9 October 2024, is part of the charity’s Coast to Cobbles relay which marks the RNLI’s 200th anniversary and celebrates the charity’s remarkable lifesaving legacy.

In support of the RNLI’s lifesaving work, the draw aims to raise £20,240, to mark the RNLI’s 200 years of lifesaving in 2024. Since 1824 when the charity was founded, its volunteers have saved more than 146,000 lives.

Joining the crew at Albert Dock, Liverpool, the lucky winner and their guest will travel along the river for approximately 4 hours, arriving in Salford Quays in a special journey inspired by one of the most courageous acts in RNLI history, which prompted one of the kindest.

The Coast to Cobbles journey honours the legacy of the 1886 Mexico disaster, where 27 lifeboat crew tragically lost their lives, an event which went on to inspire the world’s first street collection, Lifeboat Saturday.

Faye Maher, Engagement Lead for the RNLI said: ‘As an RNLI supporter, you could win a once-in-a-lifetime experience aboard one of our lifeboats in the charity’s 200th anniversary year.

‘It’s a unique chance to enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour of a state-of-the-art Shannon-class lifeboat, and spend quality time with lifeboat crew to see and hear first hand how the RNLI saves lives at sea.

‘Every prize draw entry will help us continue our vital mission for another 200 years.’

For just £5, each donation will grant an entry into the draw, with larger ticket bundles available to increase chances of winning. The draw closes at 12midday on Friday 4 October 2024 winner will be drawn and notified the same day. All entrants must be over 18, and full terms and conditions apply.

To enter, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/rnli-200-prize-draw

Notes to editors

· Images can be downloaded from: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/8B83FF35-1C7E-414B-B3339DA17F7933FC/

· Coast to Cobbles is a lifeboat relay linking all the RNLI’s North West stations before arriving in Salford Quays for a finale coinciding with the anniversary of the world’s first street collection, when a lifeboat was paraded through the streets of Manchester. The relay sees a specially designed time capsule pass from lifeboat to lifeboat, with each RNLI crew given the opportunity to add something before it is put on display in Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Museum. The event marks the RNLI’s 200th anniversary in the region, commemorating its contribution to the charity’s two centuries of saving lives at sea.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Tom Dale, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected], 07977 157959 or alternatively contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [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.

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