Teddington RNLI confirms two lives saved and 95 launches in 2023
Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station is calling on members of the public to support the RNLI’s Mayday fundraising campaign, after revealing they saved two lives and launched their boats 95 times last year.
With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, urging members of the local community to take part in the Mayday Mile - taking on the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May. All money raised will help to provide the charity’s vital lifesaving service, such as the training and equipment that is needed to keep its lifesavers safe, while they risk their own lives to save others.
Funds raised will help support the charity’s vital lifesaving work, including the provision of important training and kit for the volunteer lifeboat crews who readily risk their own lives to save others whenever the call for help comes in.
An example of the vital support offered by the station was the aid offered last summer to a cyclist who was seriously injured after being knocked off her bicycle by three dogs. As an ambulance was unable to reach her, Teddington lifeboat crew was called to assist. Having been lifted onto the boat, the rescuee said, ‘I knew that I was in the care of skilled, disciplined and well-trained people whose sole purpose for being in the RNLI wasn’t money or literally, showboating, but to rescue and care for those in distress.
‘If you want a superb template for how to do life well - here it is! It isn’t what happens to us that matters, so much as how we respond to it. Their response to my need was professional, efficient, compassionate and rapid. I am the grateful recipient of sacrificial living on the part of those RNLI volunteers at Teddington Lifeboat Station. With all my heart, thank you’.
Matt Allchurch, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Teddington RNLI says: ‘Summer is the busiest time of year for the RNLI, with thousands of people at risk of getting into danger by the water. Having recently marked the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, we’re putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today and into the future.
‘As a charity we rely on the generosity of the public to take part in events like the Mayday Mile and raise the funds that allow us to be there when we’re needed most.’
The RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser begins on Monday 1 May and will run for the whole month across the UK and Ireland.
Sign up for the Mayday Mile now and find out more at rnli.org/SupportMayday
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Notes to editors
· Teddington lifeboat station has been operating since 2002 and is wholly crewed by volunteers
· The RNLI is a charitable organistion funded by donations and legacies
· If you are interested in volunteering with the RNLI, visit https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/how-you-can-volunteer
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Gianna Saccomani, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07798905515 or [email protected] or Grace Palmieri, RNLI Deputy Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07855487508 or [email protected], or Hatti Mellor, Regional Media Officer on 07724801305 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.