RNLI launches The Perfect Storm fundraising plea
CAMPAIGN WORK ONLY. Lowestoft Shannon class lifeboat Patsy Knight 13-05 in rough seas during the stom know as the ‘Beast from the East’, March 2018. Dramatic, stormy, huge waves and white spray.
The RNLI is aiming to raise £1.8M and recruit 12,000 new supporters with a fund-raising campaign: The Perfect Storm, after a drop in financial resources of £28.6m (2018).
New figures show that the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews are more than 600% busier over the festive period compared with 40 years ago.
During the festive period last year, RNLI volunteers launched to the rescue 155 times compared with just 21 call outs in 1979.
The causes of callouts over the festive period have changed over the years. In the early 80s the most common reason for callouts was to commercial fishing vessels and powered craft. One notable rescue arose on Boxing Day in 1985 when a 65ft trawler found itself in difficulty in storm force conditions which saw the Ramsgate lifeboat launch. The trawler had run aground, and the lifeboat launched into horrendous weather conditions to attach a tow and saved those onboard. The bravery shown by the lifeboat crew resulted in the coxswain being awarded a silver gallantry medal.
Since 2000, many of those needing help are often just visiting the coast and not out on vessels or watercraft. As well as slips, trips and falls, tidal cut offs are also a contributing factor to RNLI call outs.
Long-serving RNLI volunteer, Phil Eaglen, joined Wells Lifeboat Station in 1967 and has dedicated an incredible 50 years of his life to saving others with the RNLI. This Christmas, joining him around the dinner table with their pagers close at hand will be his son and granddaughter who, like Phil, will be ready to respond if the call comes in.
Phil, who joined Wells RNLI as a shore crew volunteer at the age of 17, says: “Christmas is no different to any other time of year, we’ll still be on call ready to save lives and delay our own Christmas celebrations. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the public. The RNLI has experienced a shortfall in funds, but we are rescuing more people than ever before. We are facing the Perfect Storm and are calling on people to make a donation this Christmas to ensure we can continue saving lives at sea.”
