Tenby RNLI fundraising committee has enjoyed a successful spring and early summer, raising over £1,000 through community events and generous support.

May is an important month for the RNLI throughout the country with the Mayday Campaign raising awareness of the work of the RNLI crews, and raising money to keep them afloat.

Tenby fundraisers began the month on Mayday itself with the Mayday Mile when friends, family - indeed, anyone who cared to - were invited to join members walking a mile across the South Beach. They were very pleased to be joined by Stormy Stan, and by the Mayor and Mayoress of Tenby, great supporters of the RNLI. It was a blustery day but everyone they met was generous and in just a couple of hours £300 was raised. Thanks go to all who supported the event.

Later in the month, the great Yellow Welly Hunt was held during half-term week. Participants had to follow clues to find the wellies hidden in shop windows; this proved great fun and entries were up on previous years. Coxswain Lisa picked out the winning entries which, quite randomly, were a brother and sister, Hetty and Ralphie, who won RNLI shop vouchers. Thanks must go to all the shop-keepers who so willingly put a yellow welly in their windows.

Earlier in the year, Mayor of Tenby Cllr Dai Morgan and Cllr Tom Sloane organised a community art competition with the RNLI as its theme. Then, in June, they visited the Boathouse to present the money raised to Coxswain Lisa. They also presented the winning paintings which had been donated by the artist, Tyrone Williams of Penally, to the RNLI. These beautiful paintings of the Haydn Miller, and of the Kathleen Ann will, hopefully be raffled this summer.

Tenby fundraisers are grateful to the Mayor and Tenby Town Council for their continued support of the RNLI.

July 20 saw the Annual Sea Sunday service on the Harbour, organised by Tenby Council of Churches, together with the fundraisers’ Brew for the Crew, when teas and delicious cakes were sold outside the Sailing Club. Business was brisk, and the cakes were so good that they were sold out before the service had ended.

At the service, the Salvation Army started the proceedings with a swing. Members of the churches led in song and Jeremy told everyone all about Jonah, appropriately enough. Tenby RNLI fundraising Committee Chair Nicole read the lesson at the service and said a few words about the work of the RNLI, but the highlight of the afternoon was a return visit by Stormy Stan who made the afternoon very special for some young fans, and for some not-so-young fans too.

The fundraisers are so grateful to Stormy who is always so friendly and welcoming to all and has time for everyone. Thanks also go to the hard-working committee, to Blake, Terry and Mark at the Sailing Club, and to the Harbourmaster for all his help. It was a great team effort which raised over £700 for the RNLI.