After a week of live demonstrations, music and quizzes, the biggest fundraiser for the Weymouth RNLI is coming to a close with a station open day.
The Weymouth RNLI Lifeboat Week is part of the biggest fundraising event for the RNLI taking place across the UK, with each area holding their own events to mark the occasion to raise funds to keep themselves in operation.
The week of events finishes today with the Weymouth RNLI throwing open their doors to the station house, the all-weather lifeboat and the inshore lifeboat from 10pm to 5pm. Members of the volunteer crew will be on hand to answer any questions, and there will be a grand draw at 4pm.
The events started last Sunday with the blessing of a lifeboat and a gunfire salute by the Nothe Fort Garrison.
It was followed by a display from the Weymouth RNLI volunteer crew and the Coastguard and a fishing competition at the Nothe on Monday. On Tuesday there was a crabbing competition and live music by the Leggomen, and Wednesday saw another demonstration at Bowleaze Cove. There was a music night on Thursday and pa addleboarding competition at the Sailing Academy; the top two teams were from the Official Test Centre which hosted, with the Weymouth RNLI lifeguards coming third. Yesterday there was a quiz night at the Old Rooms Inn.
The displays on Monday and Wednesday showed daring rescues involving the RNLI boats and the Coastguard as they sprung into action to ‘save’ swimmers and paddleboarders.
Click here to read more and see our interactive gallery with all the pictures from Monday's display:
Josh Hallett from Weymouth who watched the display said: “It was spectacular, an amazing display to watch and I hope they manage to raise a lot for this good cause.
“I have a friend who was saved by a lifeguard only last week, so I am especially grateful for the work that they do.
“Watching them in the demonstration was reassuring, as I know they will save me if I ever get stuck out at sea.”
Michelle Cornick watched the display with her two-year-old son Chester, who is a big fan of boats.
She said: “This is the first time I have come to see the display after all these years. The display was great, and as a parent it is great to show kids the dangers of the sea and educate them.
“It is fantastic we have the RNLI in town with how busy we are, I never want to see them go and that’s why they need to be funded and treasured.”
Spokesperson for the Weymouth RNLI Amanda Salter said: “It is a very important week in the station’s calender with a great deal of the year’s fundraising happening all at once, and it is a good opportunity to educate the public on water safety at the same time.”
“The week has gone really well, we have been amazed by the support we get from the public and the local businesses like the Bowleaze Cove and the Cheeky Tipple and Leo's Bar on Friday.
“Thank you to all the volunteers who helped run the event and especially Teresa Drage the fundraising chairman, as well as everyone shaking buckets and the businesses who have given their support. We invite anyone who hasn’t had the chance to donate to this great cause so we can keep saving lives at sea.”
Roughly £3,000 had been raised by Friday, although the full count will be on completed on Saturday.
If you want to donate to the Weymouth RNLI you can find their justgiving at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/weymouthlifeboat
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