New volunteers needed on Anglesey to help RNLI save lives at sea

Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew. Volunteers are the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and without them, the organisation couldn’t continue to save lives at sea.

But it’s not all about volunteering on lifeboats or at a station, there are many other ways people can give a little or a lot of their time to support the RNLI and make their own lifesaving difference.

Liz Robinson, who manages the visitor centre at Moelfre, began her volunteering as shop volunteer and is also part of a fundraising committee. She says:

‘I have followed the RNLI from being a child and I have some very fond memories of RNLI Moelfre. I wanted to give some time to help support the work carried out there and to meet new people, as I had recently moved to live on Anglesey. 

‘I have learned lots about the RNLI and the support I receive is immense. I have made lots of new friends and my confidence has improved greatly thanks to the RNLI.  It is a great place to make friends, particularly if you live alone.  There is a certain amount of commitment required but the social side of it more than makes up for that.  I have no regrets about volunteering for the RNLI – it is certainly a great organisation to volunteer for.’

Shirley Rogerson became a volunteer after moving to Anglesey with her young family. She has been secretary at the Trearddur Bay branch since 1986 and is now shop manager. To anyone thinking of becoming a volunteer, she says:

‘If your love to meet people in your community and make new friends you will enjoy volunteering and helping out with fundraising in your area. It is rewarding and satisfying knowing that you have helped to raise funds to help save lives.’

 Nick Evans RNLI Fundraising Partnership Lead said:

‘Without our volunteers, the RNLI simply would not be able to operate the way it does today. With 92% of the RNLI’s income coming from donations, the charity relies on the generosity of supporters and on the dedication of our fundraising volunteers to help raise essential funds. Thousands of community fundraising volunteers organise a wide range of activities and events each year, contributing their time, energy and skills to raise money to save lives at sea. Some of our fundraisers have been volunteering for many years while some just join us for a few months in the year depending on what their commitments allow.

‘We now really need to bolster that support and grow our volunteer fundraising crew. If you like to have fun, enjoy meeting new people and want to join a motivated and enthusiastic team, we encourage you to find out more and apply. You will learn new skills, gain experience and have the rewarding satisfaction of giving back. The RNLI will also provide all the necessary training and support so you can carry out your chosen role effectively.’

To find out more about how you can sign up to be a fundraising volunteer at the RNLI, or to apply, click on this link rnli.org/OneCrewVolunteers

Ends

Please find attached an image of Liz Robinson, visitor centre manager at Moelfre.

RNLI media contacts 

For more information, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager for Wales, the West and the Isle of Man on 07786 668829 or [email protected].

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.