The RNLI is looking for new fundraising volunteers to join its teams at New Brighton, Hoylake and West Kirby.
Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew.
Volunteers are the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and without them, the organisation couldn’t continue to save lives at sea.
But it’s not all about volunteering on lifeboats or at a station, there are many other ways people can give a little or a lot of their time to support the RNLI and make their own lifesaving difference.
Bryan Hughes is a heritage volunteer, a fundraising research volunteer and also part of the fundraising team at New Brighton and Chester. He is offering advice to anyone thinking of becoming involved.
He said, “Amaze yourself with what you can get involved in and achieve with the friendly support and help that is provided. As the RNLI’s founder, William Hillary, said “With courage nothing is impossible”. There are a plethora of volunteering roles and activities. Speak with other volunteers or ask for a taster session, particularly if you are uncertain what the role might involve or be like.
“Whether working alone or as part of a team, you would be working as one small part of a well-respected organisation with a worthwhile common purpose – saving lives at sea. Within that overarching principle, I love the public interaction and a total belief in our common cause. Meeting people volunteers and public from various walks of life makes it enjoyable.”
Jenny Taylor had just retired and felt she wanted to give to a worthwhile cause, joining the shop team at New Brighton 10 years ago.
She said, “In volunteering, I have been able to use the skills I had developed through my working career. A new skill is how to make a decent cup of tea, a must for when the crew return from a shout! Learning more about the RNLI has been a real eye opener. I’m always amazed at the level of training given to the crew to keep the boats operational.
“The enthusiasm and commitment across the board is outstanding. Everyone gels together to form a team. Volunteering has given me a huge outside interest since my retirement. I have made so many friends both in the shop and with the crew. Lots of laughter and sometimes a few tears. The interest shown and the generosity given by the public is truly amazing.”
Nick Evans RNLI Fundraising Partnership Lead said, “Without our volunteers, the RNLI simply would not be able to operate the way it does today. With 92% of the RNLI’s income coming from donations, the charity relies on the generosity of supporters and on the dedication of our fundraising volunteers to help raise essential funds.
“Thousands of community fundraising volunteers organise a wide range of activities and events each year, contributing their time, energy and skills to raise money to save lives at sea. Some of our fundraisers have been volunteering for many years while some just join us for a few months in the year depending on what their commitments allow.
“We now really need to bolster that support and grow our volunteer fundraising crew. If you like to have fun, enjoy meeting new people and want to join a motivated and enthusiastic team, we encourage you to find out more and apply. You will learn new skills, gain experience and have the rewarding satisfaction of giving back. The RNLI will also provide all the necessary training and support so you can carry out your chosen role effectively.”
To find out more about how you can sign up to be a fundraising volunteer at the RNLI, or to apply, click on this link rnli.org/OneCrewVolunteers 
Image: Bryan Hughes, a heritage research and fundraising volunteer at New Brighton and Chester with Sue Taylor New Brighton Fundraising Secretary. Credit: RNLI/Danielle Rush
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