FUNDRAISING GUIDE TO YOUR ONE CREW
THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF RNLI LIFEGUARDS
‘LET’S UNITE TO CELEBRATE THE WORK OF OUR LIFEGUARDS’
Peter Sparkes, RNLI Chief Executive
2026 is a significant milestone for our charity as it marks 25 years since the establishment of the lifeguard service in 2001. During the past 25 years, our lifeguards have attended more than 330,000 incidents, aided more than 440,000 people and saved over 2,000 lives. That is a remarkable number of people who have been reunited with their families thanks to our lifesavers.
The lifeguard service is a vital part of the RNLI’s integrated lifesaving service (lifeguards, lifeboats and water safety) and plays a key role in our 2040 Vision outlined in One Crew, One Plan.
I hope, with the help of this booklet, we can all unite to celebrate the work of our lifeguards, while also educating and inspiring both our internal and external audiences.
I look forward to hearing about your plans for the 25th anniversary and how, together, we can inspire a future generation of lifesavers and supporters.
RNLI Chief Executive
WHAT’S IN YOUR GUIDE?
Everything you need to support the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards in 2026 – and beyond! You’ll find inspirational stories, rescue statistics and water safety advice to share, event ideas and how to organise them, plus useful contact details to help with your planning.
As one crew, this is our opportunity to celebrate what RNLI lifeguards have achieved, educate the public about the service today, and inspire more people to support the charity behind it.
You don’t have to be at the coast to get involved. Raising awareness within inland communities is just as crucial.
Wherever you are and whatever your role, thank you for standing alongside RNLI lifeguards to mark their 25 years of lifesaving, and the many more years to come.
RNLI LIFEGUARDS HAVE BEEN MAKING OUR SEASIDE SAFER FOR 25 YEARS
Discover how our lifeguarding service grew from a trial on a handful of beaches to patrols around the UK and Channel Islands
During the summer of 2001, an RNLI lifeguard service was trialled on 26 popular beaches on the south coast of England. Fast forward 25 years and beach lifeguarding is now a major part of the RNLI’s prevention work.
Today, over 1,600 seasonal lifeguards patrol more than 245 beaches across the UK and
Channel Islands. Crosby Beach in Merseyside is the only RNLI lifeguarded beach to have 365-day patrols because of its deep mudflats.
RNLI lifeguards don’t just serve their local community. They help people from all over the UK, Channel Islands and further afield who travel to enjoy our scenic beaches.
STRIVING TO SAVE EVERY ONE
Sharing our 25 years of lifeguarding expertise with lifesaving organisations overseas is just one way we’re tackling the global drowning problem. We have helped communities in countries with high drowning risks set up their own lifeguard services, including Bangladesh, the Gambia, Kenya, the Philippines and Senegal.
RNLI MEDALS FOR GALLANTRY
These are awarded for exceptional bravery and include Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals.
Rod MacDonald
In May 2003, the late Rod MacDonald became the first RNLI lifeguard to receive an RNLI Medal for Gallantry in recognition of a difficult and selfless rescue in October 2002.
With no rescue equipment to hand, Rod clambered down rocks to a gully at Fistral Beach to save a swimmer 50m from shore. Battling breaking surf, Rod brought the badly injured and unconscious swimmer to shore and gave him first aid until an air ambulance arrived. Rod was presented with his Bronze Medal for Gallantry by RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent. Rod sadly passed away on 1 March 2025 and is fondly remembered by the RNLI community.
Sophie Grant-Crookston
Three years later, Sophie Grant-Crookston was awarded a Bronze Medal for Gallantry, making her the second lifeguard, and first female lifeguard, to receive this honour. Sophie saved the life of a stranded surfer in dangerous seas off Perranporth Beach in September 2006. She battled a big swell to reach the surfer on a cave ledge. After much reassurance from Sophie, they both jumped into the churning water so that the lifeguard team’s inshore rescue boat crew could pull them safely aboard.
You can hear more from Sophie in our 200 Voices podcast episode 20: Surviving the Surf. Visit RNLI.org/sophie.
LIFEGUARD FACTS AND FIGURES
Here are some facts and statistics you may find useful when raising awareness of RNLI lifeguards
TRAINING FACTS
• As part of their fitness tests and ongoing training, RNLI lifeguards must swim 200m in under 3½ minutes and run 200m on sand in under 40 seconds .
• RNLI lifeguards not only hold a beach lifeguarding qualification , but they are also trained in casualty care so that they can deal with anything from minor injuries to lifesaving medical emergencies .
FUNDING FACT
• The number of hours required to run the lifeguard service are too great to be done solely by volunteers. To sustain the service, local authorities and beach owners contribute to the RNLI’s costs, which helps to cover lifeguard wages.
• The cost of lifeguards’ protective kit, equipment, facilities and training relies on kind donations.
LEARN MORE AT RNLI.ORG/ LIFEGUARDS
LIFESAVING FACT
• Although RNLI lifeguards rescue people in danger, around 95% of their work is preventative. They save more lives through their proactive beach safety advice and vigilance than they do in the water.
245+
RNLI LIFEGUARDED BEACHES AROUND THE UK AND CHANNEL ISLANDS
1,600+
RNLI LIFEGUARDS ON PATROL EVERY SUMMER
25 YEARS OF RNLI LIFEGUARDS 2001–25
48M+ PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS
440,000+ PEOPLE AIDED
330,000+ INCIDENTS ATTENDED
2,000+ LIVES SAVED
A ONE CREW EFFORT
Could you organise a fun relay? Or help an RNLI fundraising group in your area? Be inspired by these One Crew stories
RAISING MONEY AND AWARENESS
SUPPORTING THEIR LOCAL RNLI LIFEGUARDS IS A CRUCIAL PART OF THE PREVENTATIVE WORK BY CHRISTCHURCH AND BOURNEMOUTH FUNDRAISING BRANCH
The
The fundraising volunteers of Christchurch and Bournemouth Branch work closely with the local community, schools and businesses to raise awareness and support for the RNLI lifeguard service on their local beaches. They are strong believers that education and general awareness about water safety and the work of the local lifeguards is the best form of lifesaving and the best way to prevent drowning on their local beaches.
The close working relationship between the lifeguards and the branch has fostered their commitment to the RNLI’s One Crew ethos. It has given the lifeguards opportunities to engage with the public in different ways away from the beach, which they have enjoyed. Integration of the branch’s water safety education volunteers into the Water Safety Team at Mudeford Lifeboat Station is also supporting these developments.
David Chair,Richmond-Coggan, Christchurch and FundraisingBournemouthBranch
Working with the Lifeguards 25 Campaign Team, the branch is developing innovative ideas for local events to celebrate this special anniversary. These include an Open Day at the lifeguard unit on Boscombe Beach and a sponsored walk along the prom – 25km for 25 years – which will pass nearly all the lifeguard units supported by the branch. Both events will be focussed on promoting information about the vital role of an RNLI lifeguard and increasing understanding of water safety.
East Dorset Lifeguard Team supported by the Christchurch and Bournemouth Fundraising Branch
‘By supporting our challenge, people joined a community of lifesavers making a tangible impact on the RNLI’s future’
LUCY TILSTON, LEAD LIFEGUARD SUPERVISOR, WIRRAL AND NORTH WALES
200 MILES FOR 200 YEARS
TO MARK THE RNLI’S 200TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, WIRRAL LIFEGUARDS TOOK ON A MAMMOTH 200-MILE RELAY CHALLENGE
The challenge began at 7am on Monday 2 September 2024 with a group run, followed by each of the 38 lifeguards running 5 miles and one running an extra 30 miles! The 5-mile route was between Harrison Drive Beach and New Brighton Beach.
The courageous lifeguard relay team, ranging in age from 16 to 60 years old, ran continuously, right through the night, some in fancy dress, passing a rescue tube as a baton.
By 3pm on Tuesday 3 September, 32 hours later, they’d completed all 200 miles, smashing their 40-hour time target. They also went on to smash their £2,000 fundraising target, raising over £2,700 for the RNLI.
To help with their fundraising and the fuel needed for their challenge, the Wirral Lifeguard Team partnered with local RNLI fundraising groups to source raffle prizes, water, bananas
Lucy Tilson, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, Wirral and North Wales
and other nutritious refreshments, and they held a bake sale during the event. They promoted the challenge across their social media channels and received fantastic media coverage, including an interview with ITV! They came together in true One Crew spirit – runners, fundraisers and cheerers alike – to support this major milestone in RNLI history. Their teamwork and camaraderie were extraordinary, and they did themselves, and the charity, proud.
THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF RNLI LIFEGUARDS
25TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITY IDEAS
How will you mark 25 years of the RNLI lifeguard service?
CELEBRATE
Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards have carried out more than 48M preventative actions to help people from getting into trouble in the first place.
CELEBRATION IDEAS DESCRIPTION
Beach picnic
Coffee and cake sale
Organise a picnic on the beach for your local community.
A bake off on the beach, selling cakes and drinks to raise money. Encourage your local community to come down and start conversations about RNLI lifeguards. You could even have a group dip in the sea, warming up with a hot drink and sweet treat after your swim.
Beach sports charity match
Organise a charity sports match on the beach, for example a cricket match between your local lifeguards and lifeboat crew. Ask for a suggested donation to come and watch.
EDUCATE
In their 25th anniversary year, the RNLI’s lifeguards patrol more than 245 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands – saving lives by sharing safety advice and rescuing people in danger.
EDUCATION IDEAS DESCRIPTION
INSPIRE
The RNLI is a charity that depends on donations to fund the lifeguards’ kit and training.
INSPIRATION IDEAS DESCRIPTION
Local knowledge workshops
Spot the dangers
Lifeguards host workshops on their local beach to talk about the hazards, currents, and how the environment changes depending on tides and tidal levels.
There are water safety materials available from the Volunteer Experience Team that a fundraising group could use as a competition. Everyone who submits an entry gets put into a prize draw.
Download the Spot the Dangers materials at RNLI.org/SpotTheDangers .
Auction of services
Fitness requirements for lifeguards challenge
Lifeguards must complete a 400m pool swim in under 7½ minutes and a 200m beach run in under 40 seconds.
Organise to showcase lifeguard skills or as a fundraising event. Challenge members of the public to compete with lifeguards!
Sandcastle competition
Are there lifeguards, fundraisers or crew who have a skill to share that can be put to public auction and bid on? For example, a 1-hour painting lesson, map-reading skills, latte art at the local coffee shop, a 1-hour flower-arranging session at the florist, gutter cleaning or car washing.
Host a sandcastle competition with the winner chosen by a small group.
Solo challenge
Your own idea!
Is there a personal challenge you could do for sponsorship? For example, a walk around the county border, a swimathon in a local pool, or a day spent with your feet in jelly-filled boots!
Inspired? Got your own idea? Here is your invitation to try something new!
HOW TO PLAN YOUR EVENT
Here’s some guidance on how to plan and register your 25th anniversary event, including who to speak to, where to find resources and important information to note
BENEFITS OF CONNECTING WITH YOUR LOCAL FUNDRAISING GROUP
You’ll get:
• fundraising expertise
• local connections for support
• opportunities for lifeboat crew participation
• access to event materials such as Stormy Stan, collection buckets and contactless payment units
• facilities to bank money
• and the satisfaction of working together as One Crew.
I WANT TO:
Connect with my local lifeguard unit or fundraising groups
WHO SHOULD I SPEAK TO?
Reach out to your local community manager or contact the Volunteer Experience Team.
Email: volunteerexperience@rnli.org.uk
Call: 0300 300 9913 (from the UK) or 01 511 9835 (from Ireland)
The team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Find information about how to plan a safe and compliant event
Register an event
Access ready-made materials for my event
Borrow a contactless payment unit
Book a gazebo or Stormy Stan
Pay in money from my event
The Volunteer Zone, which is accessible to everyone, is the home for all resources and information about fundraising and events, including safe and compliant fundraising and event planning:
RNLI.org/VolunteerZone
RNLI.org/EventPlanningResources
Fundraising groups: Your designated events volunteer can register your event online.
Lifeguards: Organise your event through your local fundraising groups. See above on how to connect. Individuals can register to fundraise in aid of the RNLI at fundraise.rnli.org/event/do-your-own-fundraising.
Your local fundraising groups can order these via MyStore (ideally with 8 weeks’ notice) with support from your local community manager or the Volunteer Experience Team.
Speak to the Volunteer Experience Team (please allow 8 weeks).
Contact your local community manager or the Volunteer Experience Team.
Your local fundraising groups can accept any donations you receive. Fundraising treasurers should code your activity to ‘Lifeguards 25th community event ’ in Salesforce. All money raised will go into general RNLI funds.
IMPORTANT: CONNECTING WITH YOUR LOCAL LIFEGUARDS
Please note that the inclusion of local lifeguards in your activities cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of their lifesaving role. Their participation in your event must be outside of their patrol times and in a volunteer capacity.
KEY DATES FOR YOUR ACTIVITY
Here are some key dates that you might want to tie in with your 25th anniversary event for RNLI lifeguards
LIFEGUARD APPRECIATION DAY
A day to celebrate lifeguards all over the world – and a moment
CHECKLIST FOR YOUR EVENT
■ Agree the purpose of your 25th anniversary event for RNLI lifeguards. Who is your target audience?
■ Get a team together. Define roles and responsibilities.
■ Check your local community calendar. What events are already happening in and around your community?
■ What’s your budget? How will your event bring in a 3:1 return on investment?
■ Who will you need to bring on board to support your event?
■ Could it be a recruitment opportunity?
■ Complete your risk assessments and relevant event documents.
■ For active participation activities, ensure an RNLI registration process is in place.
■ Order the resources you’ll need.
■ Make sure you apply for RNLI insurance cover for water-based activities.
■ Tell your community about your event.
■ Have fun on the day, and evaluate your successes and learnings.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
From Volunteer Zone
■ Risk Assessment templates and guidance
■ Event planning templates and guidance
■ How to guides for active and water-based events
■ Recruitment: Expression of Interest forms
From MyStore
■ Editable Come Visit Us posters and banner
From your local resource custodian
■ Gazebo
■ Stormy Stan
■ Inflatable Shannon
From your community manager
■ Contactless payment units and PDQs
IF YOU SEE SOMEONE ELSE STRUGGLING IN WATER:
• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
• Tell the person to relax and float on their back.
• Throw something buoyant to help them stay afloat.
TOP SAFETY TIPS
Join our lifeguards in sharing lifesaving beach safety advice
1
CHOOSE A LIFEGUARDED BEACH
Stay between the red-andyellow flags when swimming and bodyboarding or the black-andwhite chequered flags when surfing, paddleboarding or enjoying other non-powered watersports.
You’ll have peace of mind that you and your family have the protection of highly trained lifesavers.
RNLI.org/FindABeach
2
FLOAT TO LIVE
• Tilt your head back, submerging your ears.
• Relax and control your breathing.
• Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.
• It’s OK if your legs sink – we all float differently.
• Spread your arms and legs to improve stability.
• Once you’re through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.
• Practise floating at a supervised location like a swimming pool.
3FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, SHARE THE WATER SAFETY CODE:
RNLI.org/float RNLI.org/education
RNLI.org
Photos: Calum Chittleburgh, Peter Hancock, Love Lyme Regis, RNLI/(Aram Atkinson, Harrison Bates, Adrian Don, David Edwards, Lee Hawkins, Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams), Jon Stokes, Dean Wright
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney, of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ