To mark 55 years since the RNLI established an inshore lifeboat station at Porthcawl the fundraising and events team will be holding a series of events throughout the year.

Plans include two special weekends of events to take place at the start and end of summer.

David Shillaw, Chairman of Porthcawl RNLI Fundraising and Events Group, said: ‘We felt it was important to recognise the 55th Anniversary in which an RNLI inshore lifeboat has been stationed at Porthcawl. Last year our fundraising team had their most successful year ever raising £73,000 and we hope to continue with the same momentum. With launch figures yet to be released by the RNLI for 2019, it is likely Porthcawl will once again be one of the busiest, if not the busiest RNLI lifeboat station in Wales. In 2019 the volunteer crew at Porthcawl had an incredibly busy year once again.

‘We have an excellent record of holding well supported events in Porthcawl to raise funds for the charity and we are very much looking forward to the support of the public throughout our 55th Anniversary year.

‘Our first weekend event will be on Saturday 13 June when a supper evening with entertainment hosted by Mark Llewelyn Evans and friends is being held at and sponsored by the Hi Tide Inn. This will be followed by a festival style event on the Promenade on Sunday 14 June to replace our annual RescueFest which sadly we have had to cancel for this year.

‘Another exciting weekend will be held in September with our 55th Anniversary Dinner at the Grand Pavilion on Saturday 19 September followed by a ‘Magical Music’ concert at the Grand Pavilion on Sunday 20 September.’

Chris Page, volunteer helm at Porthcawl RNLI and lead organiser of RescueFest said, ‘We are really disappointed to have to cancel our RescueFest event this year. The local authority has important major sea defence works planned around the breakwater and Eastern Promenade this summer. These works clashed with the proposed date for RescueFest2020 which has meant it is not possible to hold the event as in previous years. We understand regular supporters of this event, around 4000 last year will be dismayed so we plan to hold some small scale lifeboat demonstrations during the year which will be advertised via our social media pages. RescueFest generated significant funds for our charity and I hope the events being held during our 55th anniversary year will be similarly well supported.’

Porthcawl RNLI Fundraising and Events Team is renewing its appeal for Active Supporting Members. If you can spare a couple of hours to help with street and store collections or want to organise small fundraising events yourself to help save lives at sea pick up an application form from the Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat gift shop.

Notes to editors

· An RNLI inshore lifeboat has been stationed at Porthcawl since 1965

· More information about Porthcawl RNLI can be found at: porthcawl-lifeboat.co.uk

· Downloadable video showing Porthcawl RNLI in action is available from the RNLI website: rnli.org/news-and-media

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact, Porthcawl RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: Chris_Page@rnli.org.uk