Norfolk Show visitors meet RNLI mascot Stormy Stan and learn water safety tips

He joined fundraisers of the RNLI’s Norfolk Inland Branch at the Norfolk Showground and representatives from the charity’s water safety team in a bid to collect donations and raise awareness of the charity that saves lives at sea.

Liam Fayle Parr of the Water Safety Team said: ‘As we enter the summer season, knowledge about water safety is of utmost importance to people visiting Norfolk’s beaches, and what better way to share tips and advice than meeting hundreds of people face-to-face at the Norfolk Show.

‘Visitors learned the Float to Live technique, proven to save lives of people struggling in the water, and learned general beach safety advice to avoid getting cut off by tides and how to keep dogs safe along the coast. It was a pleasure to meet so many people. For further safety advice visit: rnli.org/safety.'

Branch Fundraising Lead branch Karen Bone said: ‘Adults and children at the Norfolk Show loved seeing Stormy Stan and finding out about the lifesaving work the RNLI has been doing for 200 years.

‘As ever supporters were keen to tell us their stories about how our volunteer crews have helped their loved ones or people they knew, and they dug deep, giving change and making card donations. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello.’

The RNLI’s presence at the show comes as the charity celebrates its bicentenary in 2024 and 146,000 lives saved from its combined lifeboat and lifeguarding service at 238 lifeboat stations and over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK.

Founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations.

Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity; and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

Norfolk Inland Branch aims to raise vital lifesaving funds for the RNLI ensuring the charity and its volunteer crews and lifeguards can continue saving people from the risk of drowning for the next 200 years. The branch welcomes new members.

RNLI Lifeboat stations in Norfolk are Hunstanton, Wells, Sherringham, Cromer, Happisburgh, and Great Yarmouth and Gorleston.

Sherringham East, Sherringham West, Cromer East, Cromer West, East Runton, Gorlestone and Yarmouth, Hemsby, Mundesley, and Sea Palling.

Notes to Editors

• Photos and captions:

1. Stormy Stan with volunteers Derek and Doreen Miller at the Norfolk Show on Wednesday.

2. Float like a starfish: RNLI mascot Stormy Stan demonstrates the Float to Live technique at the Norfolk Showground.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.