RNLI Lifeboat Crews Rally for Mayday Fundraiser with Daring Welly Relay
Volunteer lifeboat crews from Portsmouth and Hayling Island joined forces with RNLI lifeguards this weekend to slam home the message of the RNLI’s annual Mayday fundraiser. Their call? “Do your bit, fund our kit.” The campaign aims to raise a whopping £750,000 to kit out volunteers with lifesaving gear — from life jackets and helmets to the iconic yellow wellies.
The Big Welly Relay Hits the Coast
The star of the weekend was the RNLI Mayday Welly Relay. Portsmouth and Hayling crews took charge of the famous yellow boot as it made its journey along the UK coastline from Portishead to Harwich.
The welly changed hands several times: starting with the Bembridge lifeboat crew on the Isle of Wight, transferred onto the Portsmouth – Isle of Wight passenger hovercraft, then taken ashore at Southsea beach by the Portsmouth inshore lifeboat crew.
Stormy Stan and Lifeguards Join the Fun
With a parade along Southsea beach and RNLI mascot Stormy Stan leading the charge, the welly was the star attraction. RNLI lifeguards showed off their skills by paddling the welly along the seafront before the Portsmouth crew took it back.
The following day saw a dramatic handover in front of Portsmouth’s iconic Emirates Spinnaker Tower, where the welly was passed to Hayling Island’s lifeboat crew to continue its epic trek.
Spinnaker Tower Lit Up for RNLI
As night fell, the Spinnaker Tower lit up bright yellow, beaming the Mayday campaign message across Portsmouth’s skyline. “It was a brilliant, high-energy weekend,” said Portsmouth Lifeboat Press Officer Aaron Gent.
“The teamwork between Portsmouth and Hayling crews, plus the lifeguards on the beach, was fantastic. Stormy Stan running along the seafront really lifted the spirits, especially for the kids.”
The crews also juggled fundraising with fun — collecting over £200 from beachgoers during the relay.
Sadly, high winds forced the cancellation of a planned abseil down the 560ft Spinnaker Tower. “But we’ll reschedule it soon,” confirmed Aaron.
