Home / DWP team supports RNLI street collection

DWP team supports RNLI street collection

Angela.Saunders
Monday 10 February 2014

Colleagues from DWP’s Direct Payment Demonstration project volunteered their services under the Department’s “Community 10K” initiative to support the RNLI.

The group of eight met on a cold November morning in 2013 and helped with the counting of money raised on the RNLI street collection day on the streets of Manchester.  In addition to counting the money, various members of the team dressed as the RNLI mascot Salty Sam and walked the streets with additional DWP helpers to ensure the mascot could see where he was going!  They did a great job in raising profile for the RNLI volunteers who were collecting.

Frances Kilner MBE (Lifeboat Fund Deputy Chair - pictured right) told us that:

“Miles did most of the ‘mascot duty’, with some support from Jon.  As the pictures show, the mascot outfit was heavy and it was hard to breathe and see, so stints were limited to 30 minutes.  Miles and the team continued these throughout the day. 

“The reaction was fantastic and many photos were taken and support given.  The DWP volunteers enjoyed themselves and also relished the happiness the mascot gave to children and adults alike.

“What a rewarding experience and one that the team would love to do again.”

Well done to Frances and the team – & especially Miles and Jon!

If Lifeboat Fund supporters like the sound of this – or are able to take part in the fundraising on one of these days, we’d love to hear from you.  (Contact charity Secretary, Angela Saunders; 0131 244 8488.)   As well as being extremely rewarding, the money collected can be counted towards your 2014 Lifeboat Fund Appeal and you don’t have to get involved in the pre-event planning and organisation!