RNLI Hoylake & West Kirby event raises £5k to support volunteer lifesavers

The annual RNLI Meet and Greet Day on Saturday 26 July offered the public a rare chance to step aboard the lifesaving charity’s lifeboats, including Hoylake’s Shannon class lifeboat and Inshore Rescue Hovercraft and West Kirby’s D class IB1 lifeboat.

The stations’ launch and recovery vehicles were also be on display, including Hoylake’s Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) and West Kirby’s Hagglund BV206 launch vehicle – the only vehicle of its type based on station in the RNLI.

As the sun shone on Hoylake promenade, RNLI volunteers spoke to hundreds of visitors about their search and rescue work around the region’s coast and offered lifesaving tips on staying safe at the beach and on the water.

The Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team joined the event, displaying their rescue vehicles and equipment and springing into action when they received a real-life emergency tasking during the event.

Hoylake & West Kirby Sea Cadets showcased the activities they offer for young people on sea and land, while visitors enjoyed viewing a selection of stunning classic cars on display.

The incredible total of £4,984.08 was raised from generous donations from the public, as well as through sales of RNLI souvenirs, refreshments and tombola tickets. Visitors also made donations to soak a crew member in the stocks and to try their hand at helming a remote control RNLI lifeboat.

Howie Owen, Hoylake RNLI Coxswain, said:

“We can’t thank everyone enough for coming along to our Meet and Greet Day and supporting Hoylake and West Kirby lifeboat stations. It’s a special opportunity to open our boathouse doors and talk to visitors about the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

“There’s always a brilliant community atmosphere and we’re so grateful to everyone who donated to support our 24-hour search and rescue service. Thanks also go to all the fantastic volunteers who ran stalls, collected donations, baked delicious cakes for our refreshments stall, and made the event such a success!”

Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said:

“We’re always grateful for the incredible turnout and generosity shown at events like our Meet & Greet Day. It was a fantastic reminder of how much local support we have behind us from the community and it was brilliant to see so many people come together.’

‘Every penny raised helps us continue saving lives at sea and ensures that anyone in difficulty at the coast can get the help they need. On behalf of our entire crew and volunteers, thank you so much.’

In 2024, as the RNLI celebrated its 200th anniversary, lifeboats in the UK and Ireland launched 9,141 times and helped 17,068 people. A total of 437 lives were saved – more than one on every day of the year. But as a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations to power its lifesaving work, which last year cost a total of £191.2 million.

Anyone wishing to donate online directly to support the lifeboat stations can visit the RNLI Hoylake website here.

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