Sea shanty evening raises over £1,300 for Sunderland RNLI
Supporters gathered at Sunderland Yacht Club on Saturday 28 March 2026 for a lively evening of sea shanties in aid of the RNLI, raising an impressive £1,340.64 to support lifesaving services.
The event, featuring The Auckland Shanty Singers, brought together members of the local community for an evening of music, fundraising and support for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Guests enjoyed two performances of traditional sea shanties, alongside a charity raffle and additional fundraising activities throughout the night.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a cheque from The Auckland Shanty Singers, totalling £942.39, raised through their own efforts in support of the RNLI. On the night itself, a further £398.25 was generously donated by those attending, bringing the total raised to £1,340.64. The funds will contribute towards ensuring RNLI volunteer crews can continue their vital work saving lives at sea.
David Hastings, Honorary Secretary of the Durham Branch RNLI, said: ‘The support shown at this event has been fantastic. The Auckland Shanty Singers created a brilliant atmosphere, and it was great to see so many people come together to support the RNLI. The funds raised will make a real difference in helping our crews continue their lifesaving work.’
The RNLI would like to extend a sincere thank you to The Auckland Shanty Singers for their dedication and generosity, as well as to everyone who attended, donated, and supported the event, helping to make it such a success.
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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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