Scuba Santas
Father Christmas has ditched the reindeer and swapped his sleigh for a pair of flippers and some scuba gear – at least that’s what it will look like when divers at an inland dive site in Somerset take the plunge to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Association.
Over 150 divers will gather at Vobster Quay to attempt a world record for the largest number of simultaneous scuba diving Santas. The underwater challenge aims to raise money for the RNLI’s biggest annual fundraising day, SOS Day on Friday 29 January 2010.
Over the last three years the festive gathering has gathered momentum. In 2007 eight Santa’s, a Viking, a snowman, and a fairy all came together to raise money for the RNLI and last year was even bigger. This Christmas they hope to assemble over 150 Scuba Santas in a world record attempt for the largest number of scuba diving Father Christmases at the same time.
Lloyd Watkin of the Yorkshire Divers Group who are leading the challenge says any keen scuba diving Santas are welcome to join them on Sunday in their bid to break the world record. He says;
‘We’ve been raising money for the RNLI for a number of years. The lifesaving work the volunteer crews do every day of the year is just amazing and as scuba divers we will never know when we might need to call upon them ourselves. We’re looking forward to the record attempt on Sunday and hope that we can raise funds for the charity. You can follow our story on our website www.scuba-santas.co.uk or twitter us at www.twitter.com/scubaSantas.’
Frances Warren, RNLI Divisional Fundraising Manager for Bristol, Gloucester, North Somerset and Wiltshire says;
‘Traditionally fundraising events for SOS Day take their inspiration from the SOS acronym. Last year in the south west, RNLI supporters invited people to Sup Our Soup, Scoff Our Scones and Sample Our Savouries. Away from the food theme, Stroll On Sundays were organised; SOS quizzes were held and supermarkets arranged SOS collections.
‘However this is a truly unique event and is sure to capture people’s imagination. Our volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards are ready to go to sea at a moment’s notice to aid people in distress but our vital maritime emergency service is funded entirely through public donations and legacies. SOS Day, the RNLI’s biggest annual fundraising day helps ensure we can keep that service running.’
The RNLI’s SOS Day website is packed with fundraising ideas and links to an events calendar, photographs from previous SOS Day events and fundraising materials, among others, log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos
Notes to Editors
* You or a representative are invited to witness the Scuba Diver’s world record attempt at the Vobster Quay Dive Site, Upper Vobster, Mells, Somerset, BA3 5SA. Please contact Gareth Lock on 07966 483832 or on Sunday on 01373 814666 to make arrangements
Scuba Santa’s media contact
For more information on the Scuba Santa’s World Record attempt contact Gareth Lock on 07966 483832
RNLI media contacts
For more information on the RNLI contact Isla Reynolds, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 663127 or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Lifeguard Press Officer on 07920 818 807
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit . News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.
A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland
