Whitby RNLI crew member hands over cheque to the charity

In a display of community support, Luke Pentith, co-founder of Whitby Distillery, recently had the pleasure of presenting a generous donation to the RNLI. Luke, who also serves as a volunteer crew member, has been passionately raising funds by selling the RNLI rum produced in Whitby to customers across the UK.

Reflecting on his experience with the RNLI crew, Luke expressed admiration for their state-of-the-art equipment and comprehensive training, which not only aids in lifesaving missions at sea but also ensures the crew's safety throughout. Inspired by their cause, Luke and his partner Jess, the Co-Founders behind Whitby Distillery, made it their mission to support the charity.

Luke said: 'Our initiative took the form of a dark spiced rum, crafted in collaboration with the RNLI, with 10% of its sales committed for donation. Adorned with the poignant safety message "FLOAT TO LIVE" and featuring the image of the esteemed historic lifeboatman Henry Freeman, each bottle served as a testament to the crew's dedication.'

The culmination of their efforts came in the form of a donation, as Luke and Jess presented a cheque totalling £5000 to the RNLI. This remarkable sum was raised in just six months since the rum's launch in July of the previous year.

Beating their target of £7000 for the year, Luke remains optimistic about the future, hoping to sustain the momentum and continue contributing to the the charity. The RNLI, a vital lifeline for those in peril on the seas, relies solely on the generosity of individuals.

The funds raised play a crucial role in providing the RNLI crew with essential equipment, including lifejackets, waterproof gear, and personal locator beacons, ensuring their safety as they respond to the pager, enabling them to continue saving lives at sea.

For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or at [email protected]

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.