A 'meet and greet' day hosted by Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI raised more than £5,500 for the charity's lifesavinfg work.

The inaugural event, which took place on Saturday (September 3) gave the public a chance to step aboard the lifesaving charity’s lifeboats and launch vehicles, including Hoylake’s Shannon class lifeboat and hovercraft and West Kirby’s D class IB1 lifeboat.

The volunteer RNLI crews spoke to hundreds of visitors about their work around the Merseyside coast and shared important advice about staying safe on and around the water.

Wirral Globe: RNLI volunteers spoke to visitors about their lifesaving work. Picture: Siân HolmesRNLI volunteers spoke to visitors about their lifesaving work. Picture: Siân Holmes (Image: RNLI volunteers spoke to visitors about their lifesaving work. Picture: Siân Holmes)

The Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team also joined the event, displaying their rescue vehicles and equipment and showing how RNLI lifeboat crews and the coastguard work together to save lives.

Wirral Globe: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team also joined the event. Picture: Siân HolmesWirral Coastguard Rescue Team also joined the event. Picture: Siân Holmes (Image: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team also joined the event. Picture: Siân Holmes)

The incredible total raised came from generous donations from the public, as well as sales of RNLI souvenirs and refreshments. Local volunteers also ran a tombola and a competition where entrants guessed the number of balloons filling a classic Volkswagen Beetle.

Wirral Globe: Visitors were invited to guess number of balloons in Volkswagen Beetle. Picture: Siân HolmesVisitors were invited to guess number of balloons in Volkswagen Beetle. Picture: Siân Holmes (Image: Visitors were invited to guess number of balloons in Volkswagen Beetle. Picture: Siân Holmes)

Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Howie Owen said: "We can’t thank everyone enough for coming along to our Meet and Greet Day and supporting Hoylake and West Kirby lifeboat stations.

"There was a great community atmosphere and it was fantastic to see so many people stepping aboard our RNLI rescue craft and learning about our lifesaving work."

Wirral Globe: West Kirby RNLI volunteers with RNLI mascot Stormy Stan. Picture: Siân HolmesWest Kirby RNLI volunteers with RNLI mascot Stormy Stan. Picture: Siân Holmes (Image: West Kirby RNLI volunteers with RNLI mascot Stormy Stan. Picture: Siân Holmes)

"We're blown away about the amazing total raised, which is vital for funding our 24-hour search and rescue service.

"Thank you to everyone who donated and to all the volunteers who collected, ran stalls, and made the event such a success."