The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
RNLI Open Day on Hayling a great success
The Hayling Island RNLI Lifeboat Station opened its doors on Sunday July 29th and over 600 people from far and wide came to join in the fun and spectacle.
Both lifeboats launched several times in the day and the highlight of the afternoon was a fly-past by the Coastguard Helo 104 helicopter accompanying the two lifeboats. (see picture) Adults and children alike were captivated and 4 year old Milo Grant-Turton from Liss Forest said, ‘I want to be a lifeguard when I grow up and this is so exciting.’ He is a member of the RNLI Storm Force Club for children, and he is intent on visiting all the RNLI stations in the UK! So far his parents have managed to take him to Tenby, Poole and now Hayling Island.
Many families and supporters lived locally, but Koos Landzaad from Johannesburg S.A. came to see us with Hazel and John Armstrong, originally from Zimbabwe but now living on Hayling. Other visitors were from Reading, Basingstoke, Manchester and even Dubai. Alex Reid from Coventry said ‘It’s a great privilege to see the RNLI Lifeboat crew in action. They do such a valuable job in saving lives.’ Almost the first visitor to the station was from Le Havre, France staying with his brother who lives locally and who worked as a boat builder including building lifeboats.
Families enjoyed the quizzes and competitions, all were thrilled by the lifeboat displays, and the souvenirs and light refreshments stalls were kept busy all day. The model lifeboats kept young and old happy manoeuvring around obstacles, whilst the Hants Fire & Rescue and First Responders displays were added attractions.
RNLI Organiser Nigel Roper said ‘We were lucky with the weather and the bonus was the helicopter fly-past. Our thanks to Solent Coastguard for arranging it.’ RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jonathan Bradbury added ‘What a magnificent Open Day. Thank you to all who created it and who visited us, everyone I spoke to seemed to be having a good time. We are delighted to have seen so many people and of course to have raised over £1500 to support our work’
The day had a sting in its tail when at 22:15pm the duty crew was called out to help a fishing boat in the harbour with engine problems. So for some a very long day working as RNLI volunteers.