Filey RNLI virtual lifeboat weekend smashes target.

Contributions came from both a Just Giving page and through donations at the boathouse on Coble Landing, Filey.

Organisers of the traditional lifeboat weekend had decided earlier this year that it would be impossible to run the event as normal and it was agreed to try a virtual format.

The crew, Ladies Guild and friends of the station rallied behind the project to produce a series of videos on both Facebook and Twitter; the slogan being: “If you can’t come to our lifeboat weekend then we will bring it to you”.

There were special shows from Magic Mike, Ali Bullivent, Dearne Big Band and Stubbsie Folk Singers along with video support by Phil Bodmer from BBC Look North, Paddy on Yorkshire Coast Radio, The Filey Town Mayor and the Filey Lifeboat Chaplain.

Viewers had the opportunity to see activities that would have been impossible to see from the shore. There was some superb aerial footage donated by SkyShots and crew member Gary Wilson. They met the crew and the Ladies Guild; they had a tour of the boats and boathouse; they were on board each boat for a helicopter exercise; were part of the all-weather lifeboat crew on a rescue as well as reliving past visits from the White Rose Goldwings, previous raft races and an opportunity to reminisce with the crew looking at coxswains and boats of times past. All in all, the Facebook posts alone were viewed an amazing 158,000 times, all of which can still be viewed on our Facebook page.

The whole virtual lifeboat weekend will be transferred to a new special Filey Lifeboat YouTube channel in the next few weeks.

There was a lot of hard work behind the scenes with Press Officer, John Ward, overseeing the content which was produced by crew member Dougie Ward with the video wizardry coming from local University student George Atkinson. Contributions came from all parts of the Filey Lifeboat family.

Neil Cammish, Filey Lifeboat Coxswain/Mechanic said; “We have raised a fantastic amount over the virtual lifeboat weekend. It certainly goes to show what can be done in these difficult times to pull together and raise funds for our volunteer crew. Very many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the virtual weekend and a massive THANK YOU to anyone who has donated to Filey Lifeboat”

Notes to editors

• Filey Lifeboat Station was founded in 1804. It currently operates both a Mersey-Class All-Weather Lifeboat and an Inshore Lifeboat. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to Filey Lifeboat Station Facebook page.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

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