Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers thank local community following storm damage
The volunteer crew at Sennen Cove RNLI have expressed their heartfelt thanks to the local community for their support following the significant damage caused to the lifeboat station during Storm Eunice last week.
And, as the clear-up continues, the RNLI is launching an appeal to help fund some of the repair work required to keep its volunteers safe and the lifeboats on service. The charity aims to raise £100,000 towards the cost of repairing the roof of the Sennen Cove lifeboat station.
During last Friday’s storm (18 February) the station sustained serious damage when the metal roof cladding blew off. Fortunately nobody was injured, and the station was evacuated and the lifeboat put on restricted service. The RNLI’s estates team worked hard with station volunteers to enable both Tamar and D class lifeboats to go back on service on Saturday afternoon, in time for the half term break.
Ollie George, station coxswain at Sennen Cove RNLI, says: ‘Our lifeboat station has stood through many storms over the years being in such an exposed location on the Cornish coast. On Friday, I was inside the building at the time with my dad (Deputy Launch Authority Terry) and we couldn’t believe the roof had been blown off in a matter of seconds, it just goes to show how powerful the winds were during the storm and we are so thankful that no one was hurt.
‘In the aftermath, the response from the local community has been amazing, from the offers of help physically, to those offering support to raise money, and the staff within the RNLI working hard to get us back on service. The warmth and support we’ve received has been overwhelming and we are so grateful for everyone’s support during this time.’
This week a small tower of scaffold has been put up so the roof can be assessed thoroughly, when it has been safe to do so. Inspections are taking place this week to determine the best course of action to replace the roof as quickly and as cost effectively as possible.
The RNLI has launched a £100,000 fundraising appeal to help raise money towards repairs to the roof, through donations and fundraising events.
Dickon Berriman, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager, explains: ‘The full extent of the damage is still being assessed and it will take time to get a clearer idea of how much the repairs will cost. We remain committed to providing a functioning boathouse for our volunteers and staff to keep them safe and keep our lifeboats on service.
‘The positivity and can-do attitude from all the volunteers at Sennen Cove lifeboat station has been inspiring and we continue to work hard to reinstate their lifesaving facilities as soon as we can.
‘We have received so many kind offers of support so have launched an appeal to allow people to donate and fundraise specifically towards the roof repairs. If you’d like to help Sennen Cove RNLI through their storm repairs you can visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/RNLI-Sennen-Cove-Appeal
Notes to editors
Media are invited to Sennen Cove lifeboat station on Thursday 24 February at 11am to interview Dickon Berriman, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager, and Ollie George, Sennen Cove RNLI coxswain. Please contact Emma on the details below to confirm.
A photo attached shows the roof being blown off the station. Please credit James Loveridge Photography.
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For more information please contact Emma Haines, Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]
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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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