Seaford Mermaids' Big Swim makes big splash for Newhaven RNLI

The Big Swim, which was first started in 2000 by Ruth Rose, has seen the Mermaids raise over £42,000 for the RNLI since it formed, and last Saturday’s swim, which saw members meet at The Buckle in Seaford at 8am, added over £500 to that total, while providing a great excuse for the Mermaids to get together. The swim was followed by hot drinks and cake on the beach.

Along with joining a passionate community, members get access to detailed weather and swim forecasts provided by the Mermaids to encourage safe swimming and support for the RNLI.

Emmeline, a RNLI volunteer and one of the Mermaids’ forecasters, said: ‘Empowering our members to swim safely throughout the year is at the heart of the Mermaids’ ethos. We promote the joy of swimming as a group and raise awareness of the potential hazards in the sea, helping to educate our members through sharing knowledge of the tides, weather and sea conditions.'

'It was great to see so many members come down to the beach last Saturday to enjoy a swim and raise vital funds for the RNLI.'

To donate to the Mermaids' Big Swim 2026 visit: justgiving.com/campaign/mermaidscommunitybigswim2026

This weekend also saw hundreds of visitors attend Newhaven RNLI’s annual open day, which this year gave visitors a taste of what happens during a callout, with immersive experience tours of the station. The hugely popular event raised over £3,000 through sales to the gift shop, refreshments and general donations, supporting the RNLI to do what it does best, save lives at sea.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Sam Haddad, RNLI Communications Staff Member for RNLI, [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.