Plymouth RNLI volunteers join city’s Lord Mayor as he re-opens Go Outdoors store
After an extensive refurbishment, our volunteers were invited to participate in the re-opening celebration of the Go Outdoors store in Plymouth.
Our volunteer crew arrived early and were able to browse around the newly refurbished store prior to the re-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. Go Outdoors very kindly gave us a prime spot inside the store to set up an area to enable our fundraising volunteers to hand out safety information leaflets, stickers, pens and flags to everyone as they entered.
A huge queue was forming outside with people excited to see the refurbishment. Inside, our volunteers joined in with the store team creating a hyped-up atmosphere, some of the crew particularly enjoyed the conga around the store.
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth Councillor Mark Shayer officially cut the ribbon opening the store at 9am. Our volunteers were invited to be part of the opening party as the countdown rang down and the ribbon was cut. They also then lined the route inside clapping and welcoming everyone into the store.
During the day our volunteers were a prominent presence in the store talking to members of the public about water safety and their roles within the crew.
Coxswain/Mechanic Simon Jeffery said: ‘We thank Go Outdoors for the invite to be part of their special day and for their hospitality in allowing us to engage with their customers about the work of the RNLI. It was a great day and we were able to explain our work and pass on important safety advice.’
Fiona Sterling, Head of Marketing at GO Outdoors said: “We’re so pleased the Plymouth RNLI volunteers were able to join us on Saturday for what was a hugely successful day all round. The work the RNLI does for the community is nothing short of incredible and we’re delighted to have been able to help them spread the vital message to our customers about safety at sea.”
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone John Baldry, Plymouth RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07792649768 or [email protected] or Darren Blight, Plymouth RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07984399860 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]; or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected] or the RNLI Duty Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.