Blackpool and Fylde Police Cadets 24-hour Swimathon for Blackpool RNLI

The Blackpool and Fylde unit of the Lancashire Constabulary Police Cadets have chosen the RNLI as their nominated charity for 2024, and the first event is set to take place next month at Palatine Leisure Centre swimming pool in Blackpool.

This 24-hour swimathon starts on the 10 February and will run overnight to the 11 February, involving all the cadets with the aim of swimming 1,350 lengths of a 25m pool – the equivalent of swimming the English Channel.

To raise money for this huge effort, the team have set up a JustGiving page; Blackpool and Fylde Police Cadets 24 hour Swimathon for the RNLI.

Blackpool and Fylde Cadet Co-ordinator, Nikki Leigh said: ‘We live by the coast and have seen first-hand how busy the Blackpool RNLI lifeboats are, and how crucial the work that RNLI does is. They depend on our donations so they can continue saving lives and keeping us safe.

‘As a team, Blackpool and Fylde Police Cadets are determined to make a difference. That's why we're participating in the RNLI's 200th Anniversary celebrations by embarking on a 24-hour swimathon.

'The cadets are all aged 13–18 years old and while some are strong swimmers, others are not as confident and are having swimming lessons. However, together we will accomplish this challenge.’

Blackpool RNLI and Blackpool Council, through Palatine Leisure Centre and the Beach Patrol, are supporting the event. Blackpool RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Steve Fitzgerald - who himself was once a Police Cadet many years ago, said:

‘We appreciate the Police Cadets making the RNLI their charity for 2024, a very special year for us as we prepare to celebrate 200 years of saving lives on 4 March.

'We are very happy to be supporting the cadets through this epic challenge, and it also serves to remind people the importance of our water safety campaigns such as Float to Live.

‘We would encourage everyone to visit the JustGiving page where there is the opportunity to support the young cadets as they endeavour to make a difference in their volunteering.'

As the Lancashire Police Cadet motto says; ‘Let’s Go Cadets’.

To find out more about Lancashire Constabulary Police Cadets, visit the webpage at Police Cadet - Lancashire Constabulary or Facebook

To find our more about the RNLI's bicentenary please visit www.rnli.org/200 .

Notes to Editors

Contact Steve Fitzgerald, Blackpool RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected] or 07308 255949 or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07468 353082 / [email protected], or Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead West, on 07786 668829/ [email protected]

Photos – 1. Poster for the event (Lancashire Police Cadets)

2. Mascots Stormy Stan and Police Cadet at Blackpool RNLI

3. Photo of Blackpool and Fylde Police Cadets

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.

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.