Port Talbot RNLI’s car wash is another record breaker

Volunteer crew member James Jennings who holds the positions of Helm and Launch Authority organised the second car wash of the year following on from the success of the first one back in March.

The team were grateful for the support from a local taxi firm who stopped by to have their cars washed by our crew first thing this morning and Nick Durham, a paramotorist did a fly by visit and took some fantastic aerial footage of the station and cars getting their make overs.

Whilst people waited for their cars to be cleaned our fundraisers put on a delicious spread of homemade cakes which were available to take away for a donation. The sight and smell of these wonderful baked goods drew lots of people in from the prom too. It was lovely to see so many regulars coming along to support the fundraiser.

Special thanks go out to both Karen Martin and Linda Daniel for their kind donations of crochet items which went on sale alongside the cakes. Karen had recently moved to the area and in her spare time had been crouching pram and lap blankets and wanted to find a worthy cause who could make use of them. Karen got in touch with our media team via Facebook and organised the donation in anticipation of the next fundraiser and today many of the blankets found new homes.

Aside from the car wash and the bake sale the station gift shop was also open to visitors. The shop had a record breaking day for sales and the shop volunteers were thrilled with all the support received. The shop is manned seven days a week (volunteers permitting) by over 30 dedicated people so please do continue to visit and support our shop whenever you are in the area.

Clive Morris, Lifeboat Operations Manager said

‘Today Port Talbot Lifeboat Stations crew, fundraising team and shop team came together to hold a combined car wash and cake sale event to raise vital lifesaving funds for the RNLI. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work in making the day an outstanding success, the station was a hive of activity with members of the public joining us to raise over £1,147.85 all helping to save lives at sea’

Notes to editor:

The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 100 miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and a beach lifeguard service on over 200 beaches in England and Wales. If you would like more information on fundraising ideas to help raise much needed funds for the RNLI please visit our website for more details or pop into your local station to discuss any fundraising ideas that you may have.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Port Talbot RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Kirstee David on [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager 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 is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.