Morecambe lifeboat plea for 50th anniversary cards

The open day will be held at the Hovercraft Station when members of the public are invited to meet members of the crew and see the craft and equipment that they use, all of which has been purchased by public donation.

Morecambe RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, Colin Midwinter, said “As 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of a RNLI lifeboat in Morecambe, we are asking local schools, uniformed groups and others to make and send birthday cards that we can use to decorate the hovercraft station on our open day and perhaps display elsewhere.

“We envisage that teachers and leaders can use this as a catalyst for a wider programme in which they can explore sea safety, water activities and the environment in general; in keeping with the RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign.

“Our charity’s research shows us that the greatest percentage of people who drown in the UK and Ireland every year are people who never intended to get wet, let alone lose their lives.

“They are primarily walkers and sea anglers who fall into the water or are swept into the sea by waves, fall from cliffs, are cut off by the tide or get stuck in quicksand or mud.

“We believe that more education could prevent many of these tragedies and that the younger we can begin, the better.

“We want to encourage our young people to enjoy the water and the environment in which they live but at the same time teach them to respect it, and by doing so, keep themselves safe.

“We may be able to assist teachers and leaders by supplying free information and literature on sea and beach safety. We can also facilitate group visits to the lifeboat station.

Birthday cards can be sent to Colin c/o Morecambe Lifeboat Station, Marine Road, Morecambe.

Any queries or requests for further information should be emailed to: Colin [email protected].

Groups wishing to arrange a Station visit should contact Morecambe RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Kevin Jackson, at [email protected].