North Berwick RNLI thank public and businesses for lifesaving Open Day support
Volunteers from across the North Berwick branch of RNLI were bracing themselves for a wash out when heavy rain was forecast during the annual Open Day fundraiser (Saturday, 19 July), however locals and visitors showed up in force to support the charity’s fundraising efforts.
Huddled under East Lothian Yacht Club’s marquee, operational volunteers alongside volunteers from the North Berwick and Gullane Fundraising Branch and North Berwick RNLI Shop set up the open day as the rain started.
Thankfully, the heavy rain that was forecast didn’t materialise until the last hour of the open day, with the occasional downpour unable to dampen the spirits of volunteers and supporters. Due in part to the rousing sounds of sea shanties from the “Grumpy old Grandad’s”, and reels from North Berwick’s Pipe Band. The Gullane Community Ceilidh Band provided the sound track to the end of the day.
Supporters where able to try their luck at the raffle or tombola, with younger supporters able to win at the lucky dip, or practice their aim with sponges and throw bags in the kids zone, learning water safety messages at the same time. The home baking stall was groaning under the weight of RNLI themed cakes and biscuits, which all sold, as was the book stall where, with a bit of hunting, some treasures were to be found.
The Lifeboat station was also open for visitors to get to know North Bewick's D Class inshore lifeboat and members of North Berwick First Responders, North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team and North Berwick Surf Life Saving Club were also engaging with the public.
Ricky Martin, Voluntary Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “The support the RNLI in North Berwick receives from local businesses is always second to none, the raffle prizes they donate are always high quality, and help make the raffle our most successful fundraiser of the day, with over 50% of the total coming from tickets. We really can’t thank them for their continued support enough”.
“We’d also like to thank the public, locals and visitors, who weren’t put off by the weather and helped us raise over £4000. These funds will go directly towards our lifesaving operations, for example they could be used to train up our three new trainee crew members, which costs £1360 per crew member per year.”
“Last year the RNLI spent £190M running its lifesaving operations saving 437 lives, 7 of which were saved by our volunteers here in North Berwick. That wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of public donations. We thank you for your continued support.”
Notes to editors
- In 2024 RNLI lifeboats from 238 stations across the UK and RoI launched 9,141 times saving 437 lives (alongside RNLI lifeguards), North Berwick launched 28 times, saving 7 lives.
- It cost £1,360 a year to train each crew member in the lifesaving skills they need to answer the call for help
- 97% of the RNLI’s frontline lifesavers are volunteers including over 5,700 lifeboat crew members.
- In 2024 it cost the RNLI £190M to run its charitable lifesaving service, 6 in 10 of the lifeboat launches were funded by generous supporters leaving the RNLI a gift in their will.
RNLI media contacts
Matthew Gibbons, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick,
[email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639,
[email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929,
[email protected]
24 hour RNLI Central Press Office, 01202 336789 or email [email protected]
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
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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.