Wirral lifeboats' meet and greet raises more than £5,125

The event, at Hoylake Lifeboat Station on July 13, was a chance for the public to step aboard the lifesaving charity’s lifeboats and launch vehicles, including Hoylake's Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood and inshore Hovercraft Hurley Spirit.

Volunteer crew members and fundraisers from Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI were joined by their colleagues from Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) as they welcomed visitors to see their lifesaving kit and equipment.

RNLI mascot Stormy Stan in front of the RNLI Hoylake's Shannon class lifeboat all-weather Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood during Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI Meet & Greet Day on Saturday, July 13 (Image: RNLI/Dan Whiteley) West Kirby RNLI brought along their D class inshore lifeboat Leonard Pownall for people to have a look around, as well as their Hagglund BV206 all-terrain launch vehicle, which it is the only such vehicle on station in the whole of the RNLI fleet.

RNLI colleagues from the coastguard during Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI Meet & Greet Day on Saturday, July 13 (Image: RNLI/Dan Whiteley)

Hoylake RNLI volunteers at the 'meet and greet' day on July 13 (Image: RNLI/Dan Whiteley) Homemade cakes were for sale alongside RNLI gifts and plenty of games, as visitors tried on RNLI kit and threw wet sponges at willing crew members in a bid to raise funds for the station.

More than £5,125 was raised during the event through sales and collections and every penny will go towards supporting Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI's lifesaving work.

Crew members were on hand to explain about the work of the RNLI and what equipment they use, as well as sharing key water safety information and skills ahead of the summer holidays.

Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Howie Owen said: 'The crew had a great time on Saturday welcoming the public into Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Station.

'It was great to introduce them to our volunteers and show the vital equipment we use during our work to save lives at sea, while raising money to help us carry on doing this.'

A West Kirby RNLI spokesperson said: 'It was a great event. Seeing the community come together and enjoy the day with Hoylake and West Kirby lifeboat crews, along with the HM Coastguard and BDMLR team was fantastic.

'It's a wonderful reminder of the unwavering support from those we serve and inspires us to continue our mission with even greater dedication.

'Thank you for standing with us!'

Anyone wishing to donate online directly to support the Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI lifeboat stations can visit https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Hoylake