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Whitby and Staithes and Runswick lifeboat crews save 688 people
Whitby's heroic lifeboat crew have saved the lives of a staggering 558 people during the past decade.
Add to this the 130 rescued by Staithes and Runswick RNLI and a whopping 688 people owe their lives and safety to the brave volunteers.
The reminder of the importance of both crews comes as the RNLI celebrates its annual SOS day today – the charity's biggest fund-raiser.
Fund-raiser and Friend of Whitby Lifeboat, Ali Thomson, said the service was a "comfort blanket" for the public.
"People know that regardless of the trouble they get into that someone will come and rescue them," she said.
"Imagine if they were not there, what would have happened to these 500 people? There would be a lot of sad people out there that's for sure.
"They don't get paid and it's not like the AA or a service like that, you don't have to be a member or have donated money for them to come and save your life.
"Whatever the weather, if you are in danger or just broken down, you know that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the lifeboat crew will be there.
"They are the best in the world at what they do."
Whitby Lifeboat coxswain Mike Russell said the figures highlight the importance of funding for the RNLI.
He said: "People think we are a rich charity but that is not the case.
"It costs a lot of money to run the crew, the all-weather lifeboat uses 300 litres of fuel an hour when it is out, for example.
"It is why we rely on people's generosity on days like today."
Staithes and Runswick crew member Lee Jackson, said his crew have an important role to play.
"We are between Whitby and Redcar and get a lot of call-outs for people who have become trapped on the rocks," he said.
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 19 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
