Community Spirit Shines at Southwold RNLI
On Thursday 4 December the volunteers at Southwold RNLI had the pleasure of receiving two generous cheques from local fundraising efforts.
Southwold Golf Club chose the RNLI as their captains charity this year and raised an amazing £2,900 over the past 12 months.
Retiring Captains Penny Cleveley and Daryl Hill visited the lifeboat station on training night to handover their cheque.
Speaking after the cheque presentation, Lisa Cooper-Dann of Southwold and Dunwich Fundraisers commented: 'We are incredibly grateful to have been selected as the Southwold Golf Club Captains charity for 2025 and appreciate the effort and community spirit that went into achieving this fantastic total.
Penny Cleveley added: 'We appreciate what a vital service our Lifeboat station provides and we are very grateful for all our local volunteers.'
It was a night of double celebration, with local artist Kate Batchelor and Fiona Cooper from Buckenham Gallery attending the station to handover a cheque for £700. The donation was raised from a recent art exhibition, which included a raffle for a piece of Kate's artwork and a generous 10% donation of profits from sales during the exhibition.
Lisa Cooper-Dann of the Southwold and Dunwich Fundraisers said: 'We’re incredibly grateful for being chosen and can’t thank Kate enough for her support. Support like this helps ensure our volunteer crew can continue their vital work—saving lives and keeping everyone safe at sea. Every donation directly contributes to essential training, equipment, and the readiness of our lifeboat crew, day and night. Thank you also goes to our crew.'
Kate Batchelor commented: ‘I am very proud to support the vital work of the RNLI, when kayaking or sailing it is always very reassuring to know that the RNLI is there in case of an emergency.'
It was a fitting end to a week of Community Spirit with members of the crew and volunteers including RNLI mascot Stormy Stan helping to switch on the Southwold Christmas Lights on Saturday 29 November. The event organised by 'Light Up Southwold' was well attended despite the stormy afternoon weather. Volunteers helped with stewarding and Stormy warmed up the crowd from the Town Hall balcony before Father Christmas arrived to switch on the lights.
The previous day on Friday 28 November the crew had launched to assist a Survey vessel with engine failure six miles South of Southwold at Sizewell. The lifeboat stood by and passed a tow to a commercial tug who assisted the vessel North to Lowestoft where they were met by Lowestoft Lifeboat.
And finally don't forget to visit the Southwold Lifeboat Shop in Queen Street for those special gifts, stocking fillers, Christmas cards and more. The crew and all volunteers wish everyone in the local community a Happy and Safe Christmas and we hope to see you on the beach on Christmas Day supporting the Blyth Valley Rotary Swim, where we'll be in attendance.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Jeremy Taylor, Southwold RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Retiring Captains Penny Cleveley and Daryl Hill visited the lifeboat station on training night to handover their cheque.
Speaking after the cheque presentation, Lisa Cooper-Dann of Southwold and Dunwich Fundraisers commented: 'We are incredibly grateful to have been selected as the Southwold Golf Club Captains charity for 2025 and appreciate the effort and community spirit that went into achieving this fantastic total.
Penny Cleveley added: 'We appreciate what a vital service our Lifeboat station provides and we are very grateful for all our local volunteers.'
It was a night of double celebration, with local artist Kate Batchelor and Fiona Cooper from Buckenham Gallery attending the station to handover a cheque for £700. The donation was raised from a recent art exhibition, which included a raffle for a piece of Kate's artwork and a generous 10% donation of profits from sales during the exhibition.
Lisa Cooper-Dann of the Southwold and Dunwich Fundraisers said: 'We’re incredibly grateful for being chosen and can’t thank Kate enough for her support. Support like this helps ensure our volunteer crew can continue their vital work—saving lives and keeping everyone safe at sea. Every donation directly contributes to essential training, equipment, and the readiness of our lifeboat crew, day and night. Thank you also goes to our crew.'
Kate Batchelor commented: ‘I am very proud to support the vital work of the RNLI, when kayaking or sailing it is always very reassuring to know that the RNLI is there in case of an emergency.'
It was a fitting end to a week of Community Spirit with members of the crew and volunteers including RNLI mascot Stormy Stan helping to switch on the Southwold Christmas Lights on Saturday 29 November. The event organised by 'Light Up Southwold' was well attended despite the stormy afternoon weather. Volunteers helped with stewarding and Stormy warmed up the crowd from the Town Hall balcony before Father Christmas arrived to switch on the lights.
The previous day on Friday 28 November the crew had launched to assist a Survey vessel with engine failure six miles South of Southwold at Sizewell. The lifeboat stood by and passed a tow to a commercial tug who assisted the vessel North to Lowestoft where they were met by Lowestoft Lifeboat.
It comes as The RNLI is launching its Christmas fundraising appeal, as its volunteer lifeboat crews selflessly prepare to spend their Christmas on call.
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year, with 119 launches in 2024.
Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to leave their
celebrations with friends and family to battle the elements and 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.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to
continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
And finally don't forget to visit the Southwold Lifeboat Shop in Queen Street for those special gifts, stocking fillers, Christmas cards and more. The crew and all volunteers wish everyone in the local community a Happy and Safe Christmas and we hope to see you on the beach on Christmas Day supporting the Blyth Valley Rotary Swim, where we'll be in attendance.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Jeremy Taylor, Southwold RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.