Lifesaving charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, is calling on the people of Suffolk to cast their vote in a national campaign which could see Lowestoft lifeboat crew receive a £5,000 share of a charity fund.

The RNLI has been selected to be part of an initiative run the Daily Mirror newspaper called the ‘Vote that Counts’, where charities compete to earn the most votes in order to win donations.

The Mirror has teamed up with The People’s Postcode Trust, a charity funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, to launch the campaign at the beginning of October. Readers as well as charity supporters are now able to vote for their favourite charity by visiting www.votethatcounts.org

Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat Station is one of eight lifeboat stations selected by the RNLI as worthy benefactors of the cash, should the charity secure enough votes to win the top prize of £50,000. The money would be used to renew the essential kit that lifeboat crew members wear.

Michael Oakes, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager, said: ‘We were delighted to hear that the RNLI has been selected to be part of the Vote that Counts. We are urging the people of Suffolk to visit the website and vote for the RNLI. If Lowestoft station was successful they’d use the £5,000 share of the £50,000 to replace kit as it becomes worn out.

‘Protective helmets alone cost £194 while a pair of thermal gloves cost £10. The crew’s kit also consists of lifejackets, dry suits, waterproof jackets and steel-plated wellies.’

The RNLI is up against nine of the nation’s best-loved charities who are all competing to win a share of the fund which has been generously awarded by People's Postcode Trust. The charity with the most votes will win a top prize of £50,000, four runners up will receive £10,000 and one local charity nominated by voters will win £10,000.

The other charities involved are Oxfam, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Alzheimer's Society, ChildLine, Breast Cancer Care, PDSA, Amnesty and British Heart Foundation.

Voting closes on 21 October, so Lowestoft lifeboat crew are appealing to anyone with internet access to log on and vote for the RNLI. It literally takes seconds and will make a huge difference to the RNLI’s volunteer crews. Thanks in advance for your kind support.’

RNLI supporters should visit www.votethatcounts.org to cast their vote before 21 October.

Image courtesy of RNLI