Sailing star Pip Hare welcomes Tower RNLI crew aboard her new yacht

Pip Hare and the RNLI Tower Lifeboat Station crew © RNLI

Pip Hare, British yachtswoman, journalist and sailing coach, recently welcomed the crew from the RNLI's Tower Lifeboat Station onto her new yacht, Medallia, and showed them around.

During the visit, Tower crew told Pip about their appeal for a new station, explaining that the current station is old, cramped and beyond economical improvement. Pip also shared inspirational stories with the crew from her last Vendee Globe campaign. She is now gearing up for the 2024 campaign.

Pip Hare, who used to work in the charity's Water Safety team, said: "After meeting all of the fantastic crew from Tower Lifeboat Station, I know how much they deserve a new station that is fit for the future. Tower Lifeboat Station is the RNLI's busiest station, it has rescued almost 2,000 people and saved 334 lives since it opened in 2002, which is incredible.

"The crew explained that the current station is old and cramped but a new station will have all the modern facilities that they need to carry on saving lives. Please support the crew at Tower Lifeboat Station by donating anything you can to their fundraising appeal."

Steve Doherty, Commander at Tower Lifeboat Station said: 'It was fantastic to meet Pip and take a look around her new yacht. We're delighted that she is supporting our appeal for a new station at Tower. Our lifesavers deserve a station that has proper facilities and is fit for the future. Please donate anything you can to our fundraising appeal.' Tower Lifeboat Station is located at Waterloo Bridge in the heart of London and has been open since 2002. Although many people think of the RNLI as a costal charity, 5% of all launches take place on the Thames.

The current station floats on the river, rising and falling with each tide. The constant rocking and jolting has left the structure beyond economical improvement and has a considerable impact on the comfort of the crew. It also lacks the facilities that the crew need to give the best possible care to casualties, when the crew need to urgently administer CPR, there is no privacy from the general public. A brand new station will include modern facilities such as private, purpose-built spaces for casualty care, a drying room for kit and a new area for public engagement.

The RNLI has launched an appeal to raise funds for a new lifeboat station at Tower which will be running from Monday 6 September until Sunday 3 October 2021. For more information or to donate, please visit rnli.org/towerstation