Littlestone RNLI fundraising volunteer visits 12 Welsh lifeboat stations
RNLI Littlestone volunteer fundraiser and lifeboat enthusiast Dan Cornish went on a holiday with a difference recently- an expedition around the Southern Welsh Coast with the aim of visiting as many RNLI stations and seeing as many lifesaving lifeboats as possible.
Dan's adventure saw him take in a dozen RNLI stations from Penarth to New Quay. Along the way, he met two dozen volunteer RNLI crew members at the various stations and was greeted with the friendliness and kindness that the RNLI is known for. His trip took in 25 different RNLI charity lifeboats and he saw 14 launch vehicles during his week on the road. During his visit to RNLI St David's, volunteer Coxswain Will and mechanic Mike showed Dan the station's two charity lifeboats - an inshore and an all-weather boat - as Storm Agnes raged outside.
Dan is 31, lives on the South East Coast, works in Horticulture and has been a keen RNLI supporter for about eight years.
He said: ‘The trip showed me the variety of assets that the RNLI has around the coast and I met some wonderful volunteers who give up their time to save lives at sea. Each station may have different requirements and the type of RNLI charity lifeboats each has is determined by the likely emergencies that they will be called to.’ His trip included the following RNLI Lifeboat Stations:
Penarth, Barry Dock, Porthcawl, Cardigan, Fishguard, Angle, Horton and Port Enyon, St David's, Burry Port, Port Talbot, New Quay and Tenby.
The next phase of Dan’s journey will be a tour of the North Wales RNLI lifeboat stations in 2024 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.
Matt Crittenden, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlestone RNLI station said 'We look forward to hearing more from Dan about the types of rescues other volunteer crews are required to deal with and the warm welcomes he gets from the extended RNLI family.'
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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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.