Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI's annual Meet & Greet Day, held on Saturday, July 25, at Hoylake RNLI lifeboat station, attracted hundreds of supporters and raised almost £3,500 for the lifesaving charity, with additional donations expected to arrive in the coming days. The event, which coincided with World Drowning Prevention Day, brought together RNLI volunteers, emergency service partners, local organisations, and businesses for a day of family fun, community spirit, and lifesaving education.
Event Highlights and Community Support
Visitors had the opportunity to meet the volunteer lifeboat crews from both Hoylake and West Kirby, explore the lifeboats, hovercraft, and launch vehicles, and learn more about the RNLI's lifesaving work. A variety of RNLI gifts and souvenirs were on sale, alongside stalls and activities, including a popular opportunity to soak brave RNLI volunteers in the stocks. The Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team displayed their rescue vehicles and equipment, while Hoylake and West Kirby Sea Cadets showcased the opportunities they offer young people both on and off the water. Friends of Birkenhead Kennels shared information about their work rehoming stray and unwanted dogs, and a range of classic cars were on display. Coffee Dream and the Seafood Shack kept visitors refreshed with hot food and drinks, and homemade cakes were available in the boathouse.
Water Safety and Long Service Recognition
The event provided an important platform for volunteers to share the RNLI's vital water safety advice as the summer holidays began, including through the charity's 'Float to Live' campaign. The RNLI's face-to-face team spoke with visitors about supporting the charity through regular giving, and many people chose to sign up to help ensure volunteer crews can continue launching to the rescue. A fitting highlight was the recognition of John Davies, one of the stations' longest-serving volunteers, who was presented with the RNLI's Long Service Medal to mark 30 years of volunteering. As secretary of the Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboat Management Group, John has supported the stations' volunteer teams for three decades, while also giving his time in the souvenir shop and as an active fundraiser. He received the medal from management group chair John Curry in front of fellow volunteers and visitors.
Quotes from Organisers and Crew
Carron Jones, chair of the Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI Fundraising Branch, said: "Our Meet & Greet Day is one of the highlights of our calendar because it gives us the chance to welcome our community, showcase the work of our volunteers, and put the fun into fundraising. To have raised almost £3,500, with more still to come, is a fantastic achievement and only possible because of the incredible generosity of everyone who came along, volunteered, donated prizes, baked cakes or supported us on the day. We can't thank our amazing community enough for supporting their local RNLI crews."
Howie Owen, Hoylake RNLI coxswain, added: "It was fantastic to see so many people come along to support the stations and help us save lives through their kind donations. The event taking place on World Drowning Prevention Day gave us a valuable opportunity to share key water safety advice that will keep people safe this summer. I'd also like to congratulate John Davies on receiving his Long Service Medal. His dedication as an RNLI volunteer over the past three decades has been outstanding and this recognition was thoroughly deserved."
Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI lifeboat operations manager, commented: "A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported this year's Meet & Greet Day. It's always a great opportunity for us to meet and chat with the people who support us all year round and show them a little more about the work our local RNLI volunteers here in Hoylake and West Kirby carry out. Whether people came to look around the lifeboats, chat to the crew or just enjoy the day, every donation and every conversation helps us continue our lifesaving work. On behalf of the entire crew, thank you."
RNLI Impact and How to Donate
In 2025, lifeboats around the UK and Ireland launched more than 9,000 times and helped 8,290 people, making it the sixth-busiest year in the charity's history. A total of 272 lives were saved. As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations to power its lifesaving work, which last year cost a total of £196.9m. Anyone who was unable to attend but would still like to support Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI can donate online at fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Hoylake.
