YOU’RE ALL LIFESAVERS AND WE THANK YOU
It’s Valentine’s Day and we’re taking the opportunity to say a big thank you to our supporters who all help our mission to preserve and protect lives around the coast and keep loved ones out of danger. To us they are all lifesavers – but what does it take?
“Lifesaving comes in many forms, and we’d like to thank everyone who helps. Being part of that can be easier than you think - whether you’re an individual or representing a business,” said Ian Whalley MBE, Business Relations Trustee and Deputy Chairman of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI).
“We’re grateful every day for the generosity of our supporters who help us in so many different ways, big and small, and we regard them as lifesavers. It can be as simple as sharing our safety messages on social media, dropping any spare change into a collection box as you’re passing one of our lookout stations or volunteering and providing corporate support. Every single bit of it helps,” he said.
As a charity, the NCI is a volunteer organisation. It operates nearly 60 lookout stations around England and Wales from where some 2,600 highly trained volunteers keep a daily safety watch, alerting HM Coastguard if anyone is seen to be in difficulty or danger. Funds are needed for training volunteers and maintaining and expanding the station network as well as investing in technology.
CORPORATE SUPPORT REAPS REWARDS
The support of businesses as well as individuals is vital and can also reap other rewards, added Ian.
“We’re fortunate to have many organisations on our side and it’s amazing the different things they do to help us, and they get rewards in return. Some organise fundraising fun days or events for their employees which also helps boost team morale and others kindly provide goods, services and the practical support we need to keep going.”
Businesses and organisations supporting the NCI can often help raise their own profile by publicising their involvement and more supporters will be welcomed, added Ian.
“Supporting a charity is often a part of an organisation’s corporate social responsibility and holding fundraising events is also a news and brand building opportunity. Businesses of all types and sizes operating in coastal communities are natural fit. But in fact any organisation will have customers and employees who are among the millions who visit our coasts every year, and any more support will be very welcome,” he said.
If you’d like to help us, please visit our donation page
Among the many organisations which provide sponsorship support are:
· The Baltic Exchange, charitable foundation
· The Cruising Association
· Lloyd’s Register
· Icom Ltd
· Mercator Media Ltd
· The Seafarers’ Charity
· Stone Printers, Skegness
· Trinity House, maritime charity
· Volvo Penta
· TheYachtMarket.com