Members of the Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station and Lifeboat Guild invite supporters to the stations annual “Lifeboat Day” which is to be held on the 16th August 2009 [sunday] 11.00am to 4.00pm on Marine Walk promenade opposite the RNLI Lifeguard Base at Roker, Sunderland.
The Sunderland RNLI Station has a history of over 200 years of saving lives at sea. During those years the class and types of lifeboats has changed from sail and oar, to today's state of the art power craft equipped with navigation aids and capable of speeds of up to 35 knots. Already during 2009 the stations two inshore lifeboats have been launched into action on 71 occasions.
The event will be officially opened at 11am by writer / performer Alfie Joey who is the current host of the breakfast show on BBC Radio Newcastle.
On TV he has appeared in Coronation Street and is Derrick in all four series of Johnny Vegas' BBC sitcom, 'Ideal', and has been the voice of Paramount Comedy since 2007.
Alfie is a regular character actor on Radio 4 standing in for the likes of Adam Bloom, Mitch Benn and John Bishop, and is also a leading contributor to the Radio 4 documentary 'Woody Allen: The Cabaret Years'. On BBC 7 he wrote and presented 'The Harrowgate Crime Writers' Festival' which included Alfie's interviews with P.D. James, Mark Billingham and Jeffrey Deaver.
The highlight of the event will take place at half past one when the crowds will get the chance to see Sunderland’s RNLI lifeboats taking part in a rescue demonstration with a Search and Rescue Helicopter from RAF Boulmer***.
Other attractions will include a Vintage car display, children’s rides, various stalls, a Lifeboat Lottery, games (including “Soak a Lifeboat crewman”), displays from other Search & Rescue teams, food and refreshments, and a display from Sunderland Maritime Heritage group.
Clive Fallon, Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI said “We would like to invite the people of Sunderland to come along and take part in this open day at our Lifeboat Station. It will give everyone the chance to meet our volunteer crew as well contributing towards the charities on-going running costs”.
***The joint RNLI/RAF Helicopter display is subject to operational requirements of either search and rescue unit.
Event details
