Volunteer RNLI crews across Wales’ 30 lifeboat stations and seasonal lifeguards have continued saving lives at sea on our coastline, despite the pandemic.

This would not have been possible without an army of fundraisers, who have continued to think up innovative ways to raise funds during these challenging times.

With lifeboat stations and retail outlets closed and fundraising events cancelled during lockdowns, our dedicated supporters have continued to think up ways to support the RNLI. According to tradition, in his last sermon St David told his followers to ‘Do the little things’/ ‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain’. This St David’s Day, the RNLI is paying tribute to all those who thought up new ways big or small to help the charity to continue to save lives at sea.

With schools and gyms closed, fundraisers have embraced the opportunity to exercise in innovative ways and turn their efforts into challenges.

For example Clwb Golff Aberteifi - Cardigan Golf Club Ladies Section raised funds for RNLI

Every year the Ladies Section at Cardigan Golf Club hold a competition dedicated to the RNLI, and this year they raised a magnificent £122 from donations made by the lady members.

Accepting the cheque on behalf of the RNLI was New Quay RNLI station mechanic Bernie Davies said: “We would like to thank all the lady members of Cardigan Golf Club who donated to the RNLI. Their generosity is very much appreciated and enables our volunteers to continue saving lives at sea.”

Pam Perry the lady captain at Cardigan Golf Club added, “We were thrilled to raise over a £100 with our annual golf competition especially in these difficult times.”

Also last year New Quay RNLI received a nice surprise when Rosie Pryce from Ffos-y-ffin, Aberaeron visited the station to present a cheque.

Rosie and her friends had decided to raise funds amongst themselves during the firebreak lockdown in Wales this October.

Bernie Davies said, “It was a lovely surprise when we received a socially distant visit at our front doors from Rosie with a cheque of £115 towards New Quay Lifeboat Station. We thanked them all for their generosity. Donating money to New Quay Lifeboat Station ensures we can carry on with our lifesaving work in Cardigan Bay.”

Rosie said, “We wanted to donate to a charity during the lockdown and decided on our very own local RNLI lifeboat station. The work the volunteers do is invaluable and I have always admired the selfless bravery of the lifeboat crew.

“2020 has been an awful year in so many ways and charities are struggling. I feel that essential services run by charities such as Wales Air Ambulance and RNLI are so vital and need our support for them to continue saving lives, especially in these difficult times.”

RNLI Fundraising and Partnership Lead in Wales Nick Evans says: ‘During these exceptionally challenging times, the RNLI has continued to save lives across the Welsh coast. They wouldn’t have been able to do this without our supporters thinking outside the box and fundraising in a Covid-secure way. As the RNLI is such a big organisation, people sometimes don’t see how their donation will make a difference but every penny really does count and we are so grateful.

‘The RNLI is at the heart of communities and some of these kind gestures really show the close affinity communities have with their local stations and respect they have for our crews and lifeguards. This St Davids Day we’d like to thank everyone for doing the little things and urge them to continue doing so and help us weather the storm.’

To support our RNLI crews in Wales please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/RNLIWalesLifesavers