Celebrating a spectacular December at RNLI Skegness
RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station is celebrating another successful December full of festive events, community engagement, and heartwarming contributions.
Santa Fun Run in association with The Rotary Club
On Sunday, 3 December, over 150 participants dressed as Santa made a dash from our Boathouse in Skegness for a 5km fun run. This event, organised in partnership with the Rotary Club, saw Santas of all ages running, walking, and enjoying the route that passed by the station's all-weather lifeboat and around Skegness. The total funds raised will be announced by the Rotary Club in the new year.
Mulled Wine and Carols at the BoathouseThe annual free Mulled Wine and Carols event, also held on Sunday, 3 December, was a resounding success. Hosted at the Boathouse, this non-fundraising thank you event surprisingly raised over £175, thanks to the generosity of those who attended. A special thank you to the 'Just Sing Choir' for their delightful performance and making the morning truly memorable.
Stormy and Santa's Christmas HideoutThe Stormy and Santa's Christmas Hideout at the Hideout Café and Bar was a magical experience for families. This event featured Santa, Buddy the Elf, Stormy Stan, and Goldie from Blue Anchor Leisure. It was not just an opportunity for family fun with opportunities to meet the characters, but also a chance to contribute to the station, as the venue made a donation from the ticket sales.
The station wishes to thank Blue Anchor Leisure for donating their team to support the event and Carl at The Hideout Café and Bar for supporting this event and the toy drive.
Crew Led Toy DriveThe now annual, Crew Led Toy Drive was a heartwarming and overwhelming success, with an truly staggering amount of toys donated for the Storehouse Food Bank in Skegness and the Derbyshire Miner's Children's Centre. The generosity surpassed last year's drive, and the crew are excited to announce its return next year, with an additional beneficiary – the Pilgrim Hospital's Children's Ward.
The Alma Avenue Switch On
Once again, Adrian and his family made a huge impact with their ever-growing light display on Alma Avenue in Skegness. The one again chose RNLI Skegness as their charity and members of the lifeboat station attended the switch on towards the end of November. This was well attended by the community and the station looks forward to seeing how much is raised at the end of the festive period.
See Stormy in Panto!
The amazing Neverland Theatre on Prince George Street has welcomed our mascot Stormy Stan to star in Panto for a second year! This year's show is Peter Pan, and Stormy will be taking to the stage towards to end of each show. Gary Starr and the theatre has agreed to fundraising for RNLI Skegness throughout their whole production run of Peter Pan throughout the festive period.
Brad Johnson, Lifeboat Press Officer at RNLI Skegness, expressed his gratitude: 'The events this December have been truly amazing, not just in their spirit but also in their impact. They have raised vital funds for our lifeboat station and strengthened further our relationship with the community. A huge thank you to everyone who supported these events. We are truly grateful to everyone who participated, contributed, and supported these events. Your involvement makes a significant difference in our efforts to save lives at sea.'
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed by lifeboat crews.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 – 31 December inclusive
Notes to editors
- The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is the charity that saves lives at sea.
- Skegness RNLI is based on Tower Esplanade, Skegness. The lifeboat station was founded in 1825 and the volunteer crew use an inshore D class lifeboat The Holland Family and as well as an all-weather Shannon class lifeboat the Joel and April Grunnill.
- The charity turns 200 on 4 March 2024. For more bicentenary information visit https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024/programmes
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.