Donkey Parade

RNLI

The RNLI is the charity which saves lives at sea. Funded entirely by donations it has 230 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. The boats are manned by volunteers who leave their day jobs when an emergency calls and brave whatever the elements can throw at them to save those in trouble on the sea. On average, around our coasts, the RNLI saves the lives 25 people every day of the year.

In Weston-super-Mare we have two lifeboats, especially suited to our large range of tide and strong tidal streams. Situated on Birnbeck Island the boats are launch by tractors into the treacherous waters of the Bristol Channel. On average they respond to about 40 calls per year, some to vessels out in the Channel, some to walkers and fishermen which have been caught out by our powerful tides.

There is also a fund raising branch in Weston, always keen for more helpers. They man the shop at Anchor Head and carry out such events as the Lifeboat Pull along the promenade and the Open Day when the public can see the lifeboats in action and talk to the crews.

The RNLI in Weston is pleased to support the Grand Pier and welcomes the opportunity to raise funds by the auction of our own donkey!

BBC Children In Need

BBC Children in Need funding is helping to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people all across our region.

Thanks to the tremendous support from local people, we helped BBC Children in Need raise a record £39million which will be used to fund projects across the whole of the UK.

In the BBC West region we are currently funding 104 projects at a total cost of over £ 4.36 million*, these projects include:

Children’s World in Glastonbury who received £9,220 to provide an integration project, bringing together children from mainstream and children from special schools (including Baytree School in Weston-super-Mare) to create a large scale puppet show.
Wellspring Counselling in Nailsea who received £16,818 to provide a counselling service for young people experiencing issues such as bullying, relationship problems or family breakups, with the aim to improve their confidence, self esteem and well being.

Your fundraising efforts and donations make a huge difference to many hundreds of local youngsters.

For more information on how to be a part of BBC Children in Need 2010, apply for a grant for your project or to find out more about who benefits from the money raised, visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey.