A MAYDAY appeal has been made by the The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The charity is looking for volunteers and fundraisers to support their national fundraising event from from May 1–4 this year.

Street collections and fundraising events will be taking place across the north of England.

A group of volunteers used to regularly raise money for the RNLI in Widnes.

The charity, which saves lives at sea, is calling on people to show their support – either by volunteering to help with collections and events, or by taking part in a fundraising activity, in aid of the RNLI.

This is the first time the charity’s Mayday campaign has been run nationally in the UK, following its success in Ireland and a trial in Liverpool last year.

It will launch on Friday, May 1 and run in the UK and Ireland across the four-day May Day bank holiday weekend.

Most of the events will have a ‘welly’ theme, in a nod to the yellow wellies – an essential piece of kit – worn by the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew members.

Welly walks and welly-themed cake sales are just two examples of the events that will be taking place.

The charity estimates it will need around 1,100 volunteers to help run the events that will be happening across the UK and Ireland.

Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews launched 8,462 times, rescuing 8,727 people and saving 368 lives.

They are on-call 24/7, every day of the year, ready to respond emergencies at sea.

Michael Charlton, RNLI area manager, said: “The RNLI’s dedicated volunteer lifeboat crews are always ready to respond to the Mayday calls of those in distress at sea.

“We’re now hoping people will respond to our call, by volunteering a bit of their time to help with some of the collections and events we have planned for the four days spanning the May Day bank holiday weekend, or by taking part in a fundraising activity.

“RNLI lifeboat crews are volunteers, who are willing to give up their time and put their own lives at risk to rescue those in danger around our coastline.

“We hope people will get behind us and show their support. We have some fun events planned, so hopefully people will enjoy themselves while also doing their bit to support this lifesaving charity.’"

All money raised through Mayday fundraising events will support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

It could be used to fund crew training, buy new crew kit, or contribute towards the running costs of a lifeboat station.

Anyone interested in getting involved can see what is going on in their area and sign up at rnli.org/Mayday, or call the RNLI community support team on 0300 300 9902 or email fundraising@rnli.org.uk