RNLI unveils its festive film as highly anticipated Christmas ads are released

FILMED on location at the lifeboat station in Lyme Regis, Dorset, the heartening ad highlights the dedication and commitment of all its lifesavers who will be on call during the Christmas period – with the charity asking for the public’s help to ensure their volunteers can continue saving lives.

Over recent years, it has become a festive tradition for big brands to release promotional Christmas films and adverts. But instead of big budgets and celebrity soundtracks, the RNLI have produced the ad in-house, featuring RNLI lifesavers who will be in action over Christmas. The ad will be released next week.

The festive film follows 26-year-old full-time TV Production Coordinator and crew member, Georgia Robson. Whilst preparing Christmas dinner, she has to drop everything and leave her family behind race to Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station at the sound of her pager.

Star of the film, Georgia, a volunteer crew member, said: ‘I loved being involved in this film. Christmas is a time where families come together, but RNLI volunteers can be called away from their families and homes at any moment. I think this film beautifully highlights the ‘togetherness’ found within crews all around our coast.’

This Christmas will be extra special for Georgia and her family as she has just recently had a baby so will be taking some time off from volunteering.

Sharing her thoughts on the festive film, Director of Fundraising, Media and Marketing, Jayne George, said, ‘The RNLI’s lifesavers faced an extraordinary summer this year, and they are still working to keep our coasts safe.

‘This Christmas, volunteers across the UK and Ireland will be leaving their loved ones behind to save others and our festive film brings this sentiment to life.

‘While our lifesavers have been incredibly busy this year as lockdown restrictions lifted and people flocked to the coast, we’ve suffered a loss in income as our shops had to close and fundraising events were cancelled due to the pandemic. We’re asking for the public’s help this festive season to ensure the RNLI can keep on saving lives by supporting our Christmas Appeal.’

Our lifesavers continued to work tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep our coastlines safe. The RNLI has lost millions due to the impact of Coronavirus. To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal visit: RNLI.org/Xmas

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 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. 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 142,700 lives.