Lifeboat Weekend 2026 Raises nearly £13,000 for Staithes and Runswick RNLI

Staithes and Runswick RNLI’s annual Lifeboat Weekend once again brought together residents, visitors, volunteers and supporters for a packed weekend of entertainment, fundraising and community spirit.

The weekend began, as is traditional, with music on the staith as the lifeboat crew assembled for the Nightgown Parade. Led by music, the procession made its way through the village. Meanwhile, the Men of Staithes travelled to Runswick Bay, where they entertained crowds at The Royal Hotel with their singing.

On Saturday morning, the lifeboat visited Runswick Bay, where local volunteers ran a stall selling RNLI items alongside a tombola. Back in Staithes, the Rapid Relief Team provided food on the staith while visitors enjoyed a wide range of attractions, including stalls and the raft race in the afternoon.

A special visitor to Staithes Harbour on Saturday was the former Tyne-class lifeboat RLM Norman Bennett, which was brought to Staithes by Red Lion Marine. The former St David’s lifeboat, previously known as Garside and numbered 47-026, has been given a new chapter in her working life. She has been named in tribute to the late Norman Bennett, a respected Tees Pilot Cutter Skipper.

The Tyne-class has a strong local connection, with members of the fleet having served at Whitby, Hartlepool and Teesmouth lifeboat stations.

The weekend also provided visitors with an opportunity to see lifesaving work in action. A rescue demonstration took place in the harbour, with Redcar and Staithes and Runswick’s RNLI lifeboats taking part in a simulated rescue of two casualties who had got into difficulty whilst paddleboarding.

Among the more unusual attractions was the Human Fruit Machine, which proved a hit with visitors and added plenty of fun to the fundraising activities.

Across the water at Cowbar, chef Johnnie Forbes cooked seafood for visitors throughout the weekend, facilitated by Gilpin Bradley and Gillian Osbourne.

Saturday evening saw live music return to the staith, with the Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra joined this year by Harthill Village Voices.

The planned fireworks display by G2 Fireworks on Saturday night was cancelled following government advice relating to the dry conditions and increased fire risk. Although the cancellation was disappointing, the decision was taken with safety in mind. The music continued, however, allowing visitors and the local community to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Sunday brought the ever-popular Great Duck Race, as hundreds of ducks made their way down the beck.

The weekend concluded with services at Runswick Bay and Staithes, led by Station Chaplain Father Adam Gaunt, with music from East Cleveland Brass.

Colin Harrison, Lifeboat Weekend Coordinator, said: 'Lifeboat Weekend is always a special occasion for Staithes and Runswick, and this year was no exception. There is an enormous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make the weekend happen, and I would like to thank every volunteer, performer, organiser, business and member of the community who contributed.

'The weather was very kind to us again and, although the increased fire risk meant we had the disappointment of cancelling the fireworks, it was pleasing to see such good crowds turning out for the other events across the weekend. We’re already looking forward to seeing everyone again next year!'

We’re pleased to announce that Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat Weekend 2027 will take place from Friday 30 July to Sunday 1 August 2027.

Staithes and Runswick RNLI operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Sheila and Dennis Tongue III.

The Tyne class was a class of all-weather lifeboat operated by the RNLI, with Tyne-class boats serving at a number of stations around the UK, including Whitby, Hartlepool and Teesmouth.

RLM Norman Bennett, formerly Garside, is being refurbished and converted by Red Lion Marine for future commercial service supporting crew transfer operations and planned workboat activities along the River Tees, North Sea and surrounding coastline.

The vessel is named in memory of the late Norman Bennett, a highly respected Tees Pilot Cutter Skipper who served on the River Tees for almost 60 years.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

James Stoker, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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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.