Santa spreads joy at Hoylake RNLI to fundraise for lifesavers

Father Christmas welcomed around 400 visitors on his visit to the Wirral coast, supported by his elves and RNLI mascot Stormy Stan. Families from across the local community had their photos taken with Santa, with children donning RNLI helmets and lifejackets similar to those worn by lifeboat crews.

Hoylake RNLI’s Water Safety Team were also at the event to share essential water safety advice with the young guests, helping them to keep safe on and around the water. Visitors also had the opportunity to view the station’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat and Inshore Rescue Hovercraft.

Generous donations from visitors helped to raise £383.47 in support of the charity’s lifesaving mission over the Christmas period.

Santa himself will be busy responding to letters delivered to the station’s special Christmas post box, built by volunteer Rob Davis. Every child will receive a personal reply from the North Pole.

Brian Jordan, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Visits Officer, said: ‘It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the festive atmosphere at the lifeboat station as we welcomed our special visitor for the first time. Father Christmas was thrilled to meet so many local children and we’re always heartened to see the fantastic support from our community for our volunteers and their lifesaving work.’

Howie Owen, Hoylake RNLI Coxswain, said: ‘We’re hugely grateful for our community’s support, especially through the winter months ahead. The kind donations from our visitors will help fund vital equipment, kit and training so our volunteer crew can respond to emergencies around coast. We wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas.’

RNLI lifeboat crews across the UK and Ireland will be on call 24/7 throughout the Christmas period. On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year. In 2024, Hoylake RNLI’s volunteers were called out on Christmas Eve.

Whatever winter weather throws at them, RNLI volunteers will be ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters. Your own Christmas gift to the RNLI will keep the charity’s crews prepared and protected, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment.

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and help the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact:

Dan Whiteley, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or email [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or email [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

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.

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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.