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Blyth Valley Rotary present cheque to Southwold RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Prior to training on Thursday 21 March, Blyth Valley Rotary Presented a cheque from the Christmas Day Swim.

Blyth Valley Rotary President, Dr Cathy Ryan, MBE, presents a cheque for £1500 to Southwold Lifeboat Operations Manager, Simon Hazelgrove from the 2023 Christmas Day Swim

RNLI/Jeremy Taylor

Blyth Valley Rotary President, Dr Cathy Ryan, MBE, presents a cheque for £1500 to Southwold Lifeboat Operations Manager, Simon Hazelgrove from the 2023 Christmas Day Swim
Southwold RNLI was chosen as one of the charities for the 2023 Christmas Day swim, organised by Blyth Valley Rotary Club.

A cheque for £1,500 was presented prior to the crew going afloat for Thursday's training session.

This year's swim raised almost £5,000 for charity, and since it began in 2012 has raised £40,000. The swim was supported by over 300 intrepid swimmers with many more watching from the promenade and clifftop.

Dr Cathy Ryan MBE, President of Blyth Valley Rotary commented: 'It was a pleasure to present a cheque for £1,500 to Southwold RNLI with proceeds from the Christmas Day Swim. The other two charities to benefit were Blood Bikes and Sole Bay Care Fund. Thank you to everyone who took part, to those that donated and special thanks to Southwold RNLI. See you this year!'

Lisa Dann, Southwold & Dunwich RNLI Fundraisers said: 'Christmas Day wouldn’t be the same without the Blyth Valley Rotary swim in Southwold; an occasion enjoyed by many. Thanks has to go to the kind volunteers that pause their Christmas celebrations in order for us to enjoy the exhilarating cold water of the North Sea. This money donated helps to keep our station operational so we can all enjoy our coastline throughout the year so thank you.'

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact, Jeremy Taylor, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Southwold RNLI: [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.

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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.

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