The 2023 Exmouth RNLI Open Day was held on the afternoon of Sunday 6th August at the Lifeboat Station in Queens Drive, Exmouth.
The event was designed to provide a perfect opportunity for everyone interested in the Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Station, the 13-03 R & J Welburn All Weather Shannon Lifeboat, the Inshore D-Class Lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II and the various lifesaving equipment, volunteer crew, fundraisers and other staff involved in the day to day running, maintenance and fundraising for the charity’s local station.
Guided tours of the lifeboat station were conducted throughout the day and crew volunteers were on hand to explain their roles and to answer questions. The Exmouth RNLI Shop was open throughout the open day to provide an ideal opportunity for visitors to purchase a huge variety of gifts, clothing, models and other items, all in support of this the RNLI lifesaving charity.
On hand were the station RNLI Community Safety Team to answer questions, give general water safety advice and a free check of equipment such as lifejackets etc., together with RNLI Lifeguards and Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team.
On the day thirty two local runners took part in a “social running / walking” event jointly hosted by Budleigh Runners & Exmouth Harriers in aid of Exmouth RNLI. There was a choice of a 5 or 11 mile course taking in the Budleigh Cycle Trail and the South West Coast path. The race finished at Exmouth Lifeboat Station where the competitors were cheered as they crossed the finish line by the RNLI volunteers. The runners raised £512.52 for the lifeboats.
£313.49 was raised from generous donations from visitors and from attractions at the event.
Furthermore, the Open Day was visited by Brenda Bridge from Bromsgrove who was in Exmouth on holiday. Brenda is a keen supporter of Exmouth RNLI and has made regular donations over ten years and, while visiting the station with her lovely dog Coco, she presented the lifesavers with £500.
The Open Day was supported by the Grapevine Bar and Grill, Big Bear Burgers, Reginaldo’s Ice Cream and Tom & Maureen Chandler with their ‘Launch a Lifeboat’ attraction.
Des White, Chair of Exmouth RNLI Fundraising Team, said “We were fortunate in that the weather was kind and the Open Day was a great success. It was well attended, with over 300 visiting the lifeboat station, showing an interest in our work, its volunteers, the lifesaving equipment and taking part in the various fun activities at the event. I would like to thank all who came along to support us and, in particular, I must give special thanks to those from Budleigh Runners / Exmouth Harriers for their incredible efforts, as well as the very kind and generous donation from Brenda Bridge. All of the funds raised will be used for essential training and equipment for the volunteer Exmouth Lifeboat crews to enable them to continue their work saving all lives at sea.”
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