West Kirby RNLI welcomes young supporter who raised £258 in 5p coins

Inspired by his love of the RNLI and the BBC series Saving Lives at Sea, Sam began collecting 5p coins after one of his year 6 teachers returned from visiting another lifeboat station with a small jar containing a handful of 5ps.

After completing his SATs, Sam launched his fundraising efforts by making posters and encouraging neighbours, family and friends to save their spare 5p coins. He also spoke at his local Women's Institute about his fundraising, handing out mini jam jars to help people remember to collect their loose change.

Thanks to the support of his local community, Sam has now raised more than £250 for the RNLI. Donations have been shared between the RNLI College in Poole and lifeboat stations in Weston-super-Mare, Looe, Poole, Mudeford, Whitby, St Ives and West Kirby.

As part of presenting his latest donation, Sam and his family visited West Kirby lifeboat station, where volunteer crew members gave them a tour of the station. During the visit, Sam had the opportunity to see West Kirby's Hagglund BV206 launch vehicle up close.

Crew members presented Sam with an RNLI burgee in recognition of his fundraising efforts before the visit was unexpectedly cut short when the volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard.

Sam Vickers said:

‘Saving Lives at Sea is one of my favourite TV programmes and I especially like the BV launch vehicle because it is rare and unusual.

‘When the crew were called out, I was a bit sad our visit had to end, but it was great to see them in action taking the lifeboat out of the station. I felt really proud of them too.

‘The crew were so kind and answered all my questions. I really want to visit them again when I have collected more 5ps. I want to raise another £250 this year if I can and I would like to volunteer or work for the RNLI myself when I am older.’

Emily Vickers, Sam's mum, said:

‘We are so proud of Sam and the enthusiasm he has shown collecting money for the RNLI. The crew at West Kirby made us feel very welcome and were so kind to Sam. It was wonderful to experience their passion for West Kirby and the RNLI firsthand.

‘Having a backstage view of the tasking coming in was a great experience for Sam and made him even more determined to work for the RNLI one day. In the meantime, he will keep fundraising!’

Gary Price, West Kirby RNLI Launch Authority, said:

‘We were delighted to welcome Sam and his family to the station and to thank him in person for his support.

‘Raising more than £250 through collecting 5p coins is a remarkable achievement and shows what can be accomplished through determination, enthusiasm and the support of a community.

‘We're extremely grateful for his support and everyone who has contributed to his fundraising efforts. We'll be cheering him on as he sets his sights on raising even more and the crew are more than happy to welcome him back to our station.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Eve Kemp, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, [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.

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