RGB Building Supplies has chosen the RNLI as its charity partner for 2022 and will be organising branch-wide fundraising events throughout the next 12 months.

The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for nearly 200 years and relies on volunteers and supporters to operate its lifesaving services.

The volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour search and rescue service and depends soley on donations.

The RNLI also provides a seasonal lifeguard service on Somerset’s beaches, and a water safety education programme.

In 2021, RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews based at four lifeboat stations across Somerset launched a total of 124 times, and the two RNLI lifeguard units dealt with 20 incidents. Together, the lifeboat crews and lifeguards in the south west saved 93 lives, a 20% increase in the number of lives saved in 2020.

Dave Nicoll, RNLI fundraising & partnership lead, and a volunteer crew member in Cornwall, said: “It’s fantastic news that the staff and customers of RGB have selected the RNLI as their chosen charity for this year.

“We rely on voluntary donations to ensure we can save lives around our coast. The money raised will help to ensure we can continue to carry out this lifesaving work both at sea and on the beaches of the south west.”

Edward Hegarty, branch manager at RGB Wellington, added: “The number of awards and medals that our region’s RNLI lifeboat stations have received is testament to the fantastic work the charity does to protect local people and visitors.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the charity for the next 12 months and have some exciting fundraising ideas in the pipeline to help our local RNLI volunteer crews to continue saving lives.”