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St Bees RNLI receive generous donation from Ravenglass Boating Association

Lifeboats News Release

With the closure of Ravenglass Boating Association (RBA), the remaining club funds were split equally between the RNLI and the Great North Air Ambulance, both receiving £1286.50

St Bees Lifeboat Station

RNLI/Nigel Millard

St Bees Lifeboat Station

The RBA was formed in 1981 by Ron Cook, an adventurist Ravenglass sailor, who sailed in his boat Teal to the Faroe Islands, completed a circumnavigation of Iceland and many, many more adventurous trips. Ron was keen to pass his knowledge of safety at sea on, and became a shore based instructor for the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and also a Marine Radio Examiner.

The club flourished in the 80s' and 90s', but with the opening of Whitehaven Marina, there was a decline in the RBA membership and the number of boats in the estuary fell. The small number of members left decided that the club was no long viable and voted to close it down.

Dick Beddows, Lifeboat Operations Manager for St Bees RNLI says: ‘We would like to extend our thanks from everyone at St Bees RNLI for the kind donation from the members of Ravenglass Boating Association. All donations help give RNLI lifesavers the best possible chance to be there for everyone who needs their help and to save all lives at sea.’

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please email Joe Raymond, St Bees RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Media Officer on [email protected] or 07977 728 315.

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 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.

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