AJ and Curtis Pritchard visit Tower RNLI in social media video for Lifeboat Day
Brothers and TV personalities AJ and Curtis Pritchard raced to don yellow RNLI waterproof kit and hurled lifesaving throwlines into the Thames in their latest social media video on Thursday.
The dancers and choreographers put their co-ordination skills to the test when they tried out as crew at Tower Lifeboat Station in a video to celebrate the work of the charity that saves lives at sea.
The eye-opening visit was recorded by The Smiley Movement, a not-for-profit organisation set up to promote charities and individuals who are doing good in the world. It is one of 10 videos filmed to shine a light on the 10 finalists of the Smiley Charity Film Awards - the RNLI being picked because of its lifesaving Float to Live water safety campaign. The Smiley Movement posted the reel to its Instagram and TikTok accounts today to coincide with London Lifeboat Day today - an annual fundraising day where RNLI supporters and volunteers take to the capital’s railway and Tube stations with their collection buckets and contactless devices to receive donations.
The brothers said: ‘We had such a great time learning more about the work of the RNLI and particularly the lifesaving service they provide on the Thames. The RNLI’s busiest stations are in London and the crews and volunteers are on call ready to launch 24 hours a day.
‘Today is London Lifeboat Day, a special fundraising day dedicated to that service, where RNLI supporters and volunteers - all dressed in yellow RNLI kit - will be out in force collecting your donations.
‘The money raised will keep you safe this summer, when thousands of people will get into danger by the water. Ordinary people enjoying days out with family or friends. It can happen to anyone. It could happen to you, or to someone you love.’
In the video AJ and Curtis learned from Tower crew Craig Burn Commander and Jai Gudgion that the RNLI depends on volunteers to run its world-class rescue operation, crewing its lifeboats at 238 lifeboat stations across the UK, paid for by the kind donations of supporters.
This year, as the RNLI celebrates turning 200, London Lifeboat Day will be different because all collectors will be wearing replica crew kit to form a highly visible sea of RNLI yellow at train stations and non-railway locations that include Trafalgar Square, Borough Market and Waterloo Bridge.
The London Welsh Male Voice Choir will support London Lifeboat Day fundraising activities, providing a vocal interlude in an hour-long rush-hour performance at Waterloo Station between 4-5pm before giving a concert at 7pm at St Clement Dane Church, The Strand, London.
All proceeds from the concert are in support of the RNLI.
Notes to Editors:
Photos and video:
A suite of images and the social media video posted by The Smiley Movement can be downloaded here for use in media coverage.
About the RNLI:
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
It has four stations on the River Thames at Gravesend, Tower, Chiswick and Teddington. Representatives from each station will be collecting on London Lifeboat Day.
Tickets to the London Welsh Presidents concert cost £30 and are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lwmvc-presidents-concert-tickets-849245775977
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Regional Communications Manager Beth Robson at [email protected] or Media Engagement Placement Izzy Coley at [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 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.