Southport Lifeboat Station invites public for open day on Good Friday

Volunteers of the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust are delighted to welcome visitors to the Lifeboat Station in their latest open day, to be held on Good Friday (29th March 2024).

The event by Southport Offshore Rescue Trust, which is free for all to attend, will be held at the Lifeboat Station on Marine Drive between 10am and 4pm.

Volunteers will be on hand to give guests a tour of the facility and all the lifesaving equipment, which has all been paid for using public donations.

Southport Lifeboat Secretary, Elaine Almond said: “The Lifeboat Station and all the equipment inside only exists thanks to the generous donations of the public, so we’re delighted to be opening our doors once again at our next open day, on Good Friday.

“Our previous Open Days have been really well supported, and our crew are excited to show more people around the station and the lifeboats, launch vehicles, quad bikes, and other kit they use when called out.”

Independent of the RNLI, the Trust relies on donations and fundraising to support itself to provide a first class life saving service in an area of coast and water covering between the River Mersey and the River Ribble, and up to 25 miles offshore, including Southport Marine Lake.

The Southport Lifeboat is a Declared Facility with HM Coastguard, and is regularly called to help those in need along the Sefton Coastline.

The crew, who are all volunteers, are on call all year round, 24 hours a day.

Funds raised from the open day will be used towards crew training and equipment.

“The Southport Lifeboat is run entirely by volunteers,” said Elaine.

“None of the Directors, search and rescue crew, shop staff or fundraisers receive any payment for their work. The crew leave their families and risk their lives at a moments’ notice, so it is vital that we provide them with the best equipment and training possible to do their job.

“As well as a chance to see the equipment, we’ll be fundraising through merchandise, a tombola, a raffle, and the Crafty Fingers will be raising money for us too.

“We look forward to seeing you there!”

Visitors are reminded that there is no on-site parking or vehicle access to the station during the event, so guests should use one of the nearby car parks when attending.

It costs £60,000 to keep Southport Lifeboat functioning all year round. That is no mean task during ordinary times, let alone the extraordinary times we currently find ourselves in.

Southport Lifeboat is funded entirely through public donations, and is independent of the RNLI, which abandoned Southport many years ago.

There are other ways you can help the charity continue to save lives, including joining Lifeboat Lotto or online donations.