Many businesses and organisations have taken a significant knock-back due to the ongoing pandemic, COVID-19.
This means supporting each other in any way we can is more important than ever. We’ve recently made the decision to donate to a charity very close to our hearts, which is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Who are the RNLI?
The RNLI provides a 24-hour rescue service in the UK and Ireland and a seasonal lifeguard service for busy beaches. They also have their own flood rescure team that helps those affected by flooding.
RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives since 1824 but are so much more than a rescue service.
Influencing, supervising and educating, their community safety teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going out to sea or to the coast.
And if that wasn’t inspiring enough, their international teams work with like-minded organisations to help tackle drowning in communities at risk all around the world.
Over 95% of the RNLI’s people are volunteers who give their time at no cost – without them the RNLI couldn’t carry out their vital, lifesaving service. From lifeboat crew, lifeguards and shore crew to fundraisers, safety advisers and education presenters – thousands of dedicated volunteers save lives, raise funds, raise awareness, and help in their museums, shops, visitor centres and offices.
Matthew Bennett, Director of Bennett’s Home Shine, comments on the decision to support RNLI:
“Our family spends as much time as possible going to Cornwall and enjoying the coast and sea. Without the RNLI, our seas wouldn’t be safe and hearing how hard they’ve been hit due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we want to help in any way we can. Any donation of any size counts.”
Specifically, we have decided to support the Porthtowan RNLI station as this is our favourite beach we like to enjoy with our children whilst lifeguards of RNLI safely watch over all of us.”
How can you help?
93% of the RNLI’s total income comes from donations and with your help they can keep saving lives. Bennett’s Home Shine will donate 50p from every invoice to RNLI as well as additional fundraisers throughout the year.
There are over 5,500 volunteer crew members and over 3,500 volunteer shore crew at 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. They all rely on training, kit, rescue equipment, lifeboats and lifeboat stations to save lives at sea. Your money helps their lifeguards prevent accidents before they happen and respond instantly when they do.
If you would like to find out more about the RNLI and all of the great, lifesaving work they do, then visit their website at www.rnli.org. You can also make a donation via their website – any donation, large or small makes a difference!
