It's Lifeboat Saturday - and here is where and when you can donate in Lytham and St Annes town centres
Lytham St Annes RNLI station celebrating 175th anniversary this year
Lytham St Annes RNLI Lifeboat Saturday is here - and it is a particularly special occasion this year as the Fylde station celebrates its 175th anniversary.
The inshore lifeboat, her crew and supporters will be about and about in Lytham and St Annes today hoping people give generously in support of the charity for saving lives at sea - and the tradition of lifeboat Saturday has a long and proud history with its roots back to a tragic off the South Fylde coast.
A total of 27 lifeboatmen lost their lives in the Mexico disaster of 1886 and five years later, bands, floats and lifeboats paraded through the streets of Manchester, followed by volunteers with buckets and purses on poles to raise money for those left behind.
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That was the first-ever street collection for and charity and raised £5,000 - a staggering amount at the time.
The Lytham St Annes RNLI will be keeping up the tradition today in Lytham Piazza from 11.30am to 1.30pm before moving on to the new public events space in St Anne’s from 2pm until 4pm.
Members of the crew will be joined by volunteers from fundraising, souvenir shops, water safety and the visits team, along with mascot Stormy Stan and there will be a tombola, offering the opportunity to win a special RNLI teddy.
A Lytham St Annes RNLI spokesperson said: “It’s a special day in a very special year and we look forward to being out and about in the two town centres.”