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Volunteer crew member Ken Hay said 'Its a fantastic event which we have supported for many years now. It attracts people from all over the north east and beyond and its a great opportunity to catch up with the local Coastguard team and members of the public who are always very appreciative about what we do. Despite the chilly day and freezing cold sea all the dippers who took part enjoyed it and made there way safely back to the beach to their friends and family members.'
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
RNLI/Tom Collins
Hartlepool RNLI volunteers Jimmy Slaughter(left) and Jake Oates pictured with Boxing Day dippers.
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.
