Appeal to raise lifeboat funds

The new fund-raising effort was unveiled by Lytham St Annes RNLI at their annual Fun Day, which saw hundreds of people flock to the lifeboat station on the Promenade.

Visitors enjoyed a range of stalls, games and live music, as well as the opportunity to meet volunteer crew and look around the charity’s Mersey class all-weather lifeboat Her Majesty the Queen and the current D Class inshore lifeboat Sally, which will reach the end of her operational life next year.

The RNLI is planning nine months of events as part of the appeal and has also developed a new board game called Launch, which was unveiled at the Fun Day and will be available to buy.

Based on Beetle, the game comes on card with printed perforations to pop out the parts of a D class Lifeboat. These are assembled into the completed “boat” by spinning the correct number for each part turn by turn with their opponents. The person or team wins who completes and has their boat ready to ‘launch’ first.

Martin Jaggs, Lytham St Annes RNLI Coxswain/Mechanic, said: “D class inshore lifeboats are the workhorses of the RNLI fleet and, as they are designed to operate in shallow water, are well-suited to many of the rescues we have to deal with.

“Our volunteer crew members show a huge amount of dedication, not only when they drop everything to go out on a rescue but by turning up for regular training sessions to make sure they are always prepared when the call comes. In return, the RNLI provides us with the best equipment, including our lifeboats, to enable us to carry out our role as safely and effectively as possible.

“That doesn’t come cheap, though, and as a charity the RNLI depends on the generosity of the public to help us continue our lifesaving service. So we are really hoping the local community gets behind our appeal to help us provide our next inshore lifeboat when our current vessel, Sally, has to retire.”

More details about the appeal from Community Fundraising Manager Chloe Shore at [email protected], 07557487837 or www.lythamlifeboats.co.uk

The Launch game is available at both the Lytham St Annes RNLI souvenir shops attached to the boathouses at South Promenade, St Annes and Central Beach, Lytham or via [email protected]. The game is available at no cost but a donation to the appeal would be much appreciated.