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Tug of War victory for New Brighton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

New Brighton RNLI’s volunteer crew saw in the New Year victorious, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning their tug of war bouts 2-0.

On New Year’s Day 2025 (Wednesday 1 January) volunteer lifeboat crew from New Brighton RNLI took part in a fundraising tug of war bout against their friends from Merseyside Sub Aqua Dive Club – Branch 5. Whilst initial poor weather had threatened to see the competition postponed, it was eventually able to go ahead.

This year’s competition was a historic one for both teams, with a women’s competition taking place for the first time.

Both teams put on a fantastic display of strength in a hard-fought battle, with a wonderful showing of support from the Wirral public on the day. The event raised over £1000 for New Brighton RNLI, who would like to thank all their supporters for their continued generosity.

The women’s competition took place first, with the New Brighton RNLI team emerging victorious in the first two legs of the best-of-three competition, thus winning their bout.

The men’s teams then competed for the Bob Grant Memorial Trophy, with New Brighton RNLI once again emerging victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. The Bob Grant Memorial Trophy is named for the late Captain Robert (Bob) Grant, a valued volunteer at New Brighton RNLI for many years, who helped to establish the tug of war competition pre-Covid.

Ian Thornton, LOM at New Brighton RNLI, said:

‘This event has become an absolute staple on the calendar for New Brighton RNLI, and it’s wonderful to see so many of the public turning out each year to show their support for the competition.

It was amazing to see our ladies getting stuck in and getting the recognition they deserve this year too, in an historic first outing for them – congratulations on a brilliant show of strength from our female volunteers!

Finally, I’d like to say a huge thanks to Merseyside Sub Aqua Dive Club – Branch 5, who have been fierce competitors on the day for many years now. They are truly valued friends of the station.’

Notes to Editors:

New Brighton RNLI was established in 1863 in the bustling seaside resort of New Brighton, on the northeast corner of the Wirral peninsula. They cover the River Mersey and out into the Irish Sea.

The station is home to a B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet. The crews at New Brighton have been presented with a remarkable 48 awards for gallantry to date.

RNLI Media Contacts

Connor Wray – Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO)

07756553092

[email protected]

Landscape image of New Brighton beach. Volunteer crew in yellow can be seen on the sand, with the tractor, carriage and lifeboat just beyond them. A rainbow stretches across the sky, from the Fort on the left of the frame, to the Liverpool docklands on the right of frame.

RNLI/Connor Wray

The weather added to the spectacle on New Year's Day
New Brighton beach. Three of New Brighton's women's team can be seen pulling hard on the tug of war rope. Behind the crowds of spectators can be seen watching on.

RNLI/Connor Wray

New Brighton RNLI ladies' team fought hard for their victory
New Brighton RNLI volunteers pose for a group photo, in their yellows, in front of the tractor, lifeboat and carriage, on New Brighton beach.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Teams gather for a photo post-victory!
Low shot of New Brighton beach, with the Fort Perch Rock visible to the left of the frame. In the centre is the lifeboat on the carriage, with a single volunteer walking alongside. A rainbow stretches across the top of the carriage, tractor and lifeboat, framing it.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Rainbows mark victory for New Brighton RNLI!

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.

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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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