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Hundreds of people turned out to support Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI at their recent annual Meet and Greet Day.
The event, on Saturday 25 July, helped to raise almost £3,500 for the lifesaving charity, with more donations to follow.
The popular fundraising event was held at Hoylake RNLI lifeboat station and brought together the charity's volunteers, emergency service partners, and local organisations and businesses for a day of family fun, community spirit and lifesaving education.
The event was supported by the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team, who displayed their rescue vehicles and equipment, while Hoylake & West Kirby Sea Cadets showcased the opportunities they offer young people both on and off the water.
It also provided a fitting opportunity to recognise one of the stations’ longest-serving volunteers. John Davies was presented with the RNLI's Long Service Medal to mark 30 years of volunteering with the lifesaving charity.
As Secretary of the Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboat Management Group, for the past three decades John has supported the stations' volunteer teams while also giving his time in the souvenir shop and as an active fundraiser.
He received the medal from Management Group Chair John Curry in front of fellow volunteers and visitors, celebrating his outstanding dedication to the RNLI.
Carron Jones, Chair of the Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI Fundraising Branch, said: "Our Meet & Greet Day is one of the highlights of our calendar because it gives us the chance to welcome our community, showcase the work of our volunteers, and put the fun into fundraising.
"To have raised almost £3,500, with more still to come, is a fantastic achievement and only possible because of the incredible generosity of everyone who came along, volunteered, donated prizes, baked cakes or supported us on the day. We can't thank our amazing community enough for supporting their local RNLI crews."
Howie Owen, Hoylake RNLI Coxswain, said: "It was fantastic to see so many people come along to support the stations and help us save lives through their kind donations.
"I'd also like to congratulate John Davies on receiving his Long Service Medal. His dedication as an RNLI volunteer over the past three decades has been outstanding and this recognition was thoroughly deserved."
Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: "A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported this year's Meet & Greet Day.
"It's always a great opportunity for us to meet and chat with the people who support us all year round and show them a little more about the work our local RNLI volunteers here in Hoylake and West Kirby carry out."
