The RNLI is our nominated charity for 2021

Each year members of Batala Lancaster put to the vote which charity we would like to support with fundraising activities for the coming year. At the start of 2020 the Royal National Lifeboat Institute was chosen but due to the national restrictions this was not possible. Now in 2021 we can look forward to beginning our support of the RNLI at a time when its lifesaving services are in even greater demand.

The RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around UK, including river estuaries and selected inland waterways, including flood rescue and a seasonal lifeguard service on appropriate beaches. It is independent from Government and relies on voluntary contributions and gifts for its income.

With more outdoor activities during the pandemic, the number of people needing to be rescued has increased and over half were of people who didn’t even plan to get wet. They included people who went shore walking or just stood by the sea watching the waves, as well as those who were enjoying water activities. In the months of April, May and June alone in 2020, the Blackpool, Fleetwood and Morecambe  RNLI Stations had a total of 42 call-outs to people needing rescue and assistance.

Any one of us who loves the sea can, without realising put ourselves at risk and need the life-saving services of the volunteers in the RNLI. They often put their own lives in danger to save ours and during the pandemic, their fundraising events has been severely restricted. We are honoured to be able to fundraise for this great charity when it is needed more than ever before.

Our first fundraising gig for the RNLI will be a charity busk on Morecambe Prom on 12 June 2021.