The Mumbles RNLI launch as successful Raft Race draws to a close

The day began before the first raft entered the water, with The Mumbles RNLI volunteers launching after reports of a dog and a person in the water. The crew returned to station in time to support one of the station's biggest fundraising events of the year as the 40th Mumbles Raft Race got under way.

Hundreds of people lined the promenade as 22 teams took to the water in homemade rafts for the 40th Mumbles Raft Race. Crowd favourites included entries from Tesco, 157 Regiment RLC, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, while Au Vodka's beautiful gold raft slowly turned to rust as it crossed the finish line.

The event once again brought local businesses, organisations and the community together in support of The Mumbles RNLI. Early estimates suggest it will raise nearly £20,000 to help fund the station's lifesaving service.

Ilfracombe RNLI and Porthcawl RNLI also joined the event by lifeboat, creating a flotilla of orange RNLI lifeboats.

Throughout the day, RNLI Water Safety volunteers were kept busy speaking to beachgoers, while The Mumbles RNLI Sea Shanty Singers entertained the crowds on the promenade.

Tony Bowen said: "We would like to thank everyone who took part, volunteered, sponsored the event or came along to support us. We couldn't do it without you."

As the final raft crossed the finish line and volunteers finished clearing up, the pagers sounded again. It was the third launch of the day for The Mumbles RNLI volunteers.

The Mumbles RNLI volunteers launched both lifeboats at 1.30pm on Sunday 19 July after HM Coastguard received reports of a missing child between Langland and Caswell.

The inshore lifeboat launched first and began a shoreline search between the two bays. As the search developed, the all-weather lifeboat launched to provide additional support while HM Coastguard and Coastguard Rescue Teams searched from land. Fortunately, the child was located safe and well in a cave before any further assistance was needed. Both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

James Cunliffe, Volunteer Mechanic at The Mumbles RNLI and RNLI Sea Survival Instructor, said: "This is why we always encourage people to choose a lifeguarded beach. If a child goes missing, tell a lifeguard straight away or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

With the school summer holidays under way, The Mumbles RNLI is reminding families to choose a lifeguarded beach whenever possible. Agree a meeting point when you arrive and make sure children know to find an RNLI lifeguard if they become separated. If there are no lifeguards present and a child is believed to be at risk, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Adam Gilbert, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wales & West, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.