24 SEPTEMBER 2007 9.51PM Reference: SMT/070924-003

Late Summer Ball - Great Success

The late summer ball hosted by Rye Harbour lifeboat station on Saturday 22 September, in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Train one, save many campaign raised a staggering £3,015. Last years event raised £2,145.

This year saw the second late summer ball hosted by Rye Harbour lifeboat station at the River Haven Hotel, Rye.  Eighty guests attended the sit down meal who then danced the night away to music provided by the band 'Mr Meaner'.  The raffle draw took place during the evening with a list of winners being compiled - Everyone winning a prize will be contacted.  First prize, £250 Experience voucher was won by Mark Cartwright (ticket no. 0202), J Newman (ticket no. 0579) won second prize, £200 Voucher for Pine/Oak furniture and Sanders (ticket no. 2926) won third prize, £100 worth of Fishing tackle - the full list of winners can be viewed at www.ryeharbourlifeboat.co.uk, select 'Late Summer Ball' after clicking the 'News' button.

Richard Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager for Rye Harbour Lifeboat said:

‘This year’s event was a great success.  It currently costs £1,372 for a place on the RNLI Inshore lifeboat course, that soon adds up when you think that every member of the crew completes the course.  I would like to thank: Mr Meaner, 4site, John Roberts & Son, Carpy's Corner, Inkerman Arms, Chris & Jumbo, Bosuns Bite, SRM, Lydd Butchers, Mr & Mrs Peters, Ashdown Hurry, Jim Soan & Sons Ltd, The Pette Shoppe, The Cats Whiskers, Gandhi Tandoori, Taxi Time, The Rye Retreat, Elegant Nails, Rye Hire, Martello Books, Threshers, NatWest, Rye, The MOT Centre, Adams, Rye, Simon Milne, William the Conqueror, W. Tollett (General Builders) Ltd, Sweet Memories, Sweet Williams, Don Frost Event Photography, Jempsons Ltd, Jempsons Budgens of Rye, Alexander McQueen, Kites on Board, Kent & Sussex powerboat training, Martyn Channons of Rye and Steve and Jean Brown for supporting this years event'.

END

Photo caption: (Click option to see photo)

Photo: Group photo of Station Personnel

Notes to editors

1. Please ensure that credit for the photo is shown as 'Don Frost Event Photography'. 

2. The original idea to hold a Late Summer Ball came from a Crew meeting at Rye Harbour lifeboat station.  The Crew are all conscious that the need for professional training, provided by the RNLI, costs money, but it is essential to keep up-to-date with current lifesaving techniques and equipment.  They therefore felt that they would like to host a Late Summer Ball to raise money for the 'Train one, save many' campaign.

3. The 'Train one, save many' campaign aims to raise £10 million over 5 years for the vital training our volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards need.

4. Today, on average, 22 people will be rescued by our volunteer lifeboat crews around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

5. The courage and dedication of our volunteer crews comes free, we must provide the best possible training to support their commitment.

6. On average, it costs £20,000 for training at each lifeboat station, each year.

7. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews, and since 2001, its lifeguards, have saved over 137,000 lives.

8. The RNLI is a registered charity and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income.

For more information please contact Steve Tollett the RNLI lifeboat press officer Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station on email: Press Officer

Vision

To be recognised universally as the most effective, innovative and dependable lifeboat service.Royal National Lifeboat Institution headquarters:

West Quay Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 1HZ
Tel 0845 1226999
Fax 0845 1261999