Swim raises Big for Newhaven RNLI with surprise Mermaids tribute
Swim raises Big for Newhaven RNLI with surprise Mermaids tribute
Lifeboats News Release
The Seaford Mermaids’ 6th Annual Big Swim raised over £4,500 directly for Newhaven RNLI. The event, on Saturday, 20 September, gathered approximately 100 swimmers and many more online donors. Founder Ruth Rose also received a surprise tribute from the crew.
RNLI/Rosalind Ashton
Newhaven Crew including Andy Bull (left) with Ruth Rose
Emmeline Ravilious, Newhaven RNLI volunteer crew member and one of the Mermaids' forecasters, highlights their shared value for good planning. ‘This tradition of promoting safety in numbers and raising awareness of potential hazards is a core part of the Mermaids' ethos and has become a valuable resource for swimmers throughout the year.’
‘Just as we check conditions before a lifeboat launch, the Mermaids’ forecasting service provides vital information on weather, sea conditions, and tides before every daily swim. It's a crucial step for staying safe on the water.’
The community gathering, which welcomes swimmers of all abilities from across the area, included a refreshing sea dip followed by hot drinks and cakes on the beach. A special and heartfelt moment followed the swim.
Andy Bull, volunteer crew for Newhaven RNLI, says, ‘Moved by Ruth Rose’s dedication, we wanted to give something back by way of thanks to Ruth and all the Mermaid community.’
Collectively the Newhaven RNLI crew raised money to make a Launch a Memory dedication in Ruth’s name. “Ruth Rose (Mermaids)” will be inscribed on Swanage RNLI’s Shannon lifeboat.
The RNLI's Launch a Memory scheme allows supporters to add the name of a loved one to the side of a lifeboat in exchange for a donation, creating a lasting tribute that helps fund life-saving work.
‘The tribute celebrates not only this year's incredible fundraising effort but also the important water safety legacy of the Mermaids' daily, year-round forecasts.’ Says Andy Bull.
The Big Swim, along with annual member subscriptions, has brought the Mermaids' total contribution to the RNLI to over £7,000 this year. The event alone raised over £4,500 directly for Newhaven Lifeboat, collected both online and on the beach by Newhaven RNLI fundraising volunteers.
Ends
Notes for the Editor
Newhaven Lifeboat Station was first established in 1803. Newhaven Lifeboat Station has been RNLI operated since 1854. Newhaven Volunteer Crew have operated their current all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the Severn class ‘David and Elizabeth Acland’ for 25 years. Newhaven RNLI also operates a D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) that began its service in August 2024.
Launch a Memory - https://www.rnli.org/launchamemory
For more information, please telephone Roz Ashton, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07900 887423 or [email protected] or Hatti Mellor, National Media Manager on 01273 818012 [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI Newhaven social media
Instagram: @newhavenrnli
Facebook: @NewhavenRNLI
Twitter: @NewhavenRNLI
RNLI/Andy Bull
Newhaven RNLI volunteer crew, operations and fundraising team joined the party
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.
