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Highcliffe Rainbows raise money for Mudeford RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On the evening of Tuesday 10 October members of the Highcliffe Rainbows visited the Mudeford RNLI lifeboat station.

RNLI/Robert King

RNLI volunteer Mel Varvel with members of the Highcliffe Rainbows onboard the Mudeford Servant lifeboat

The girls had been busy raising funds for the RNLI and visited the station to present the volunteer crew with a cheque for £100.

Lifeboat Visitors Officer Robin Pellatt, welcomed the Rainbows before the girls were given a tour of the station by volunteers, Mel Varvel and Nick Johnston. The tour also included an opportunity to go onboard the station's Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Mudeford Servant.

Alison Markwick, 1st Highcliffe Rainbows Leader said, 'Living near the sea, the Highcliffe Rainbows really appreciate what the RNLI do to keep people safe on the water. Working towards one of their badges and completing the Smarties challenge, the girls decided to raise money for the RNLI.

'Through doing small acts of kindness, they were rewarded by family and friends in small change. Having enjoyed eating the Smarties first, they were then able to fill their tube and between them raised £100.

‘We hope this donation can help the Mudeford RNLI crew keep saving lives at sea.'

Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tim Hewett, said, ‘Thank you very much to the Highcliffe Rainbows for visiting our station and for all their hard work raising funds for the RNLI. They have done a wonderful job and their donation will help us to continue our vital lifesaving work.’

The Mudeford Servant lifeboat has been called out 81 times this year, more than the whole of 2022 when the station had 65 shouts.

Media Contacts:

Robert King, volunteer Mudeford Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810 637471, [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer London and the South East (07785) 296252 [email protected]

RNLI/Robert King

1st Highcliffe Rainbows Leader, Alison Markwick with RNLI volunteer trainee Helm, Mel Varvel

RNLI/Nick Johnston

Members of the Highcliffe Rainbows at the Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Station

Alison Markwick

The Highcliffe Rainbows at Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Station

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.