Burnham-on-Sea RNLI fundraising Shanty night’s great success
Following two successful shanty nights at Burnham-on-Sea Tennis club, Burnham’s fundraising committee had decided, after popular acclaim, to organise another similar evening, but with the aid of the 85ers, a popular shanty group from Portishead RNLI lifeboat station.
With 50 tickets sold, via eventbrite, the evening, on Tuesday 2nd December, was an outstanding success, with the 85ers performing two separate sets, and a 15 minute comfort break. The club licensed bar was available throughout the evening, plus a raffle and silent auction. During the break, members of the 85ers were available to socialise freely and photos were taken to mark the occasion.
The 85ers are composed of volunteer lifeboat crew from the RNLI lifeboat station at Portishead. They are known for their full and cappella performances, gaining prominence after being selected to perform at the King's Coronation concert as part of the Coronation Choir. The group is made up of six active sea-going lifeboat crew members who have other full-time jobs outside of their lifeboat and singing duties. Entertainment was aided by the use of professional sound equipment and a dedicated sound engineer, whose wife is one of the group.
Burnham-on-Sea fundraising Chair, Denise Gocher said of the event; ‘The group were terrific sports, and all the money raised goes towards keeping our volunteer crews safe, as they save lives at sea.
She also thanked the those attending , including ticket buyers‘, her team of volunteers, and the tennis club for the exceptional support.
Denise later added; ‘The 85ers not only performed at nil cost, but the tennis club and volunteers offered their services free of charge, and the evening, taking into account the raffle, and silent auction, raised approximately one thousand pounds towards RNLI funds.
‘We have also fielded requests to hold a similar evening at the Tennis Club next year.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Lang, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea
A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2004.
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.