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Hunstanton RNLI shop set to reopen after bumper year

Lifeboats News Release

A Norfolk lifeboat station shop that raises vital funds for the charity that saves lives at sea is set to reopen on Saturday 1 February - after celebrating a record year in 2024.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Volunteer Pru in the souvenir shop at Hunstanton RNLI
Volunteers at Hunstanton RNLI sold more than £70,000 of everything from Christmas cards and calendars, to T-shirts and tea bags, along with bears and beanie hats - not to mention wellies and wall-planners in 2024.

The impressive total, which also included money raised from stalls at events large and small, along with pop-ups at talks and meetings, smashed 2023's haul of £56,000.

Mandy Styles, who leads the shop team, said the its success was down to the hard work and dedication of its 24 volunteers, some of whom travel 20 miles or more to put in their stint behind the counter.

She added behind the scenes there was stock to be ordered, unpacked and priced, while outside events needed a stall to be transported, set up and staffed throughout the day, meaning long hours to meet summer commitments like the Sandringham Flower Show.

'There is little doubt that the RNLI's 200th Anniversary celebrations last year have boosted interest in the work of the charity and our results but our team's efforts also played a big part in it,' said Mandy.

'I know we're looking forward to an equally successful 2025.'

Shop teams play a key role in promoting the role of the RNLI and raising vital funds for the lifesaving work of more than 200 lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, whose work is funded entirely by donations.

They are among the charity's unsung heroes, without whom crews would not be there to answer the call when someone finds themselves in danger.

Every cuddly bear, jar of chutney or pack of Christmas cards they sell powers launches which bring people home safe to their loved ones.

At Hunstanton, the team work closely with the station visits team, the Hunstanton and West Norfolk Lifeboat Guild and last, but by no means least, the station's busy crew.

This year, the shop - tucked away beside the lifeboat station on Sea lane - will be open at weekends from Saturday 1 February (10am - 4pm).

From Saturday 5 April to Sunday, 26 October it will be open daily. From then onwards, it will be open on weekends only (weather permitting).

If you'd like to find out more about joining the shop's volunteer team, e-mail [email protected].

Notes to Editors

Hunstanton is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in Norfolk, whose volunteers operate the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

Like more than 230 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, its lifesaving work of is funded entirely by the generosity of those who donate towards the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

One of the cuddly bears on sale at the Hunstanton RNLI shop

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Volunteers Kate (left) and Joy operating a pop-up shop at a function at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Preserves are among the shop's best-sellers (after bears...)

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Volunteers Sue (left) and Gill take a turn on the RNLI stall at the Sandringham Flower Show

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Shop volunteers on their stall at the Hunstanton RNLI flag day

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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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