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Above: Lorraine is supporting RNLI SOS day

Assembly Member supports RNLI SOS call
posted on 24/01/2008

Lorraine Barrett, Assembly Member for Cardiff South and Penarth has called for her colleagues in the National Assembly to support the RNLI's SOS fundraising day on 25th January.

Lorraine Barrett AM tabled a statement of opinion calling for colleagues to sign up to support the day and to pay tribute to the dangerous and difficult job lifeguards and crew members do. 

The national fundraising day will see events held up and down the country, which the lifesaving charity hopes will raise more than £500,000. 

Lorraine Barrett AM said:
"The RNLI provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and safeguard our beaches. They also rescued hundreds of people who live inland during the Summer’s severe flooding." 

"SOS day is the RNLI’s biggest day of fundraising for 2008, and there are plenty of fun ways to get involved. As well as raising thousands of pounds it is an opportunity for people across Wales to spare a thought for the RNLI’s brave volunteer lifeboat crews who are prepared night or day, often in dreadful weather conditions, to help those in trouble at sea."

On SOS day, schools, youth groups, workplaces and other organisations are encouraged to raise money in any way they can to support the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboatmen and women and to help keep the RNLI’s lifeboat service afloat. 

The RNLI provides free SOS day packs full of fundraising ideas, all starting with the letters SOS, to help participants organise their own events. From ‘sharing our snacks’ to ‘sponsor our slimming’, members of the public are invited to choose their own SOS fundraising activity
or create their own. Others will simply show their support for the bravery of the RNLI’s volunteer crew members and lifeguards by making a donation to the charity on SOS day.

The RNLI is a registered charity, whose volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards put their own lives on the line to save others. They provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Republic of Ireland and safeguard UK beaches. They also rescued hundreds of people who live inland during the Summer’s severe flooding.

For a free fundraising pack, log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos or call 0845 121 4999

The text of the statement of opinion reads:
Royal National Lifeboat Institution SOS Day (25.01.08)

That this Assembly:

a) Recognises the excellent work done by the RNLI in providing a 24 hour lifesaving service around Wales.

b) Further recognises that this work is essential, often difficult and sometimes very dangerous.

c) Values the time, skill and commitment that crews and lifeguards give, in putting their own lives on the line to save others - saving an average of 22 lives a day around the UK.

d) Supports the RNLI SOS fundraising Day on Friday 25th January details of which can be found at www.rnli.org.uk/sos