Helensburgh RNLI to celebrate 60th anniversary with open day

The current volunteer crew, management team and fundraisers at the RNLI lifeboat station based at Rhu Marina are hosting a free open day to mark the station's diamond anniversary.

The public, past and present volunteers and supporters of the Helensburgh RNLI Lifeboat Station are invited to come along from 11am until 2pm on Saturday 21 June.

The open day will also allow visitors to meet the volunteer crew and hear their first hand accounts of saving lives at sea, learn more about their training and what it means to be part of the RNLI.

A sea safety demonstration will take place at 1pm and there is the chance to look back at the history of the station over the last 60 years.

Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be available, as well as lifeboat-themed games and activities for children.

The RNLI lifeboat station was first established in 1965 with a D-class lifeboat provided by the Helensburgh Ladies Lifeboat Guild.

Howard Morrison, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Helensburgh RNLI says: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the lifeboat station. This is our first open day for several years and we are delighted to be able to showcase the lifesaving work of the volunteer crew and celebrate 60 years of the lifeboat station.’

Notes to editors

· Helensburgh lifeboat station has been operating since 1965. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/helensburgh-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Penny French, Lifeboat Press Officer, [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]

RNLI Press Office, 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.

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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.