THE RNLI is holding its biggest day of fundraising, the RNLI SOS Day, on Friday, January 28.

Since 2004, volunteer lifeboat crews in the South West have been called upon 102 times and rescued 76 people over Christmas and the New Year.

During the same period in 2009 they gave up priceless family time to launch 26 times, spending nearly 30 hours at sea and covering 175 nautical miles to rescue 19 people in difficulty.

The RNLI’s South West divisional inspector, Adrian Carey, said: “It is at this special time of year that it becomes ever more obvious that our charity’s volunteers are exceptional people who will continue to remain committed to putting others’ needs before their own regardless of the time of year or the state of the weather.

“Of course, this would not be possible without the support of their loved ones, who themselves are prepared to sacrifice family time at Christmas if the pagers go off.

“These people are at the very heart of what makes our charity unique and it’s appropriate at this time of year to thank them all on behalf of those who have been rescued.

“The RNLI’s fundraisers are also working hard at this time of year and looking ahead to the charity’s biggest fundraising event, the SOS day, on January 28.

“Thanks to supporters all over the South West, who last year raised nearly £66,000 though events based on the SOS acronym, our lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews receive the best training and equipment to help them go on saving lives.”

Visit www.rnli.org.uk/sos to find out how you can support the charity’s efforts, do your own event or make a donation.

If you are planning on visiting the coast over the festive period, please visit www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety or www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety for the charity’s safety advice.