RNLI Portishead Shanty Night ends with ‘Will You Marry Me?’
The very first Portishead RNLI Shanty Night was a huge success, thanks to the local community who helped to raise a massive £1,600 for the RNLI! The night was not only memorable for all who attended, but it was also a night to remember for one couple in particular.
My Lady Anne, the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat, was moved from the boat house to the top of the launch ramp and was ready for launch at a moment’s notice if needed.
Following one of The 85ers’ crowd favourites – Pleasant and Delightful, crew volunteer Jake organised to say a few words. As the final lyric ‘and if ever I return again, I will make you my bride’ was sung, Nicky was watching on in the front of the crowd with some of her family around her, the surprise was clear when Jake got down on one knee and proposed in front of the whole crowd. The crowd whooped and cheered as Nicky said yes, and there were also a few joyful tears!
Crew volunteer Jake said ‘it was incredibly difficult keeping the secret from everyone, and I was nervous that Nicky would work out what was going on, but thankfully she didn’t! RNLI Portishead is such an important part of my life, and it is lovely that she now has a special and personal connection to the station. I am so thankful to my fellow shanty mates for helping make this such a memorable and magical experience for the both of us. It is also nice to know that a band is sorted for the wedding!’
Simon, volunteer RNLI Fundraising Coordinator said, ‘Huge thanks to High & Dry, The Barnacle Buoys, The 85ers, and of course to our amazing community for coming along and supporting our event. This incredible amount of money raised will allow us to carry on with our lifesaving work, and huge congratulations to Nicky and Jake, it was an honour to share their special moment with them!’
Just a week later Nicky gave birth to their second child, little Freddie, both Nicky and Freddie are doing well. He joins their daughter Rosa, and who knows, one day they could be future crew! Huge congratulations to them on such an eventful week!
The RNLI cannot do what we do without the generous donations to our charity. The money raised at this event will go directly towards saving lives at sea in Portishead.
Notes to editors
· Barnacle Buoys start of the event singing to the large crowd.
· Jake gets down on one knee to propose to a very surprised Nicky.
· Jake 4th from left with Nicky, 3rd from left and The 85ers Shanty Band.
· All three bands sing together at the end of the event.
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
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.
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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.