Happy SOS day!
30/01/2009
The RNLI is celebrating SOS day today with the release of its 2008 rescue figures.
RNLI lifeboats launched more than 8,182 times last year, with crews rescuing an average of 21 people every day.
RNLI lifeguards on 110 beaches in England and Wales dealt with 9,535 incidents, assisting 11,026 people.
RNLI Operations Director Michael Vlasto says: ‘In a year in which many families and companies are feeling the pinch, I hope these statistics show the public why we are asking them to support us. Over the past 5 years our lifesaving charity has rescued more than 47,000 people who, for one reason or another, needed our help. Many would have died were it not for the bravery, skill and training of our volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards.
‘When you consider our lifeboat crews rescue 21 people every day and that over a third of all rescues take place during the hours of darkness, you begin to understand the commitment of our 4,500 volunteer crews around the UK and RoI – they really deserve our support.'
The busiest station lifeboat station was Tower on the River Thames. Its crews launched 403 times in 2008, a 52% increase on 2007, making it the station's busiest year since the RNLI's lifesaving service began on the river in 2002.
RNLI Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle says: ‘Events like SOS day are vital to our charity, particularly in these difficult times. We rely on the public's support to deliver, day in day out, lifeboat and lifeguard services around our island shores, and to enable us to do this independently of government. I cannot thank the public enough.'
To take part in SOS day, for inspiring fundraising ideas or to simply make a donation, visit rnli.org.uk/sos.
