RAMSEY Lifeboat Station is appealing for new volunteers to come forward to help keep its shop afloat.
The shop, located on Market Hill near St Paul's Square, is a vital part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) fundraising efforts but needs extra help to increase its opening hours.
More volunteers are needed to help in a range of roles including serving behind the counter, ordering stock and banking money.
Kev Christian, operations manger for Ramsey Lifeboat, said: "RNLI volunteers do not need to go to sea to help save lives. We are keen to hear from anyone who would like to support their local lifeboat crew without getting their feet wet.
"Volunteers who can give up even just a couple of hours will be made very welcome and will be offered full training.
"The RNLI is a charity which receives no financial support from government. The monies raised by volunteer fundraisers are its lifeblood. Because we are short of volunteers to crew the shop it means that opening hours are limited."
The lifeboat shop in Ramsey stocks a wide variety of lifeboat and local branded goods, clothing, toys, gifts and cards.
Julie Sanby, the retail manager for the RNLI, continued: "RNLI shops are an excellent source of income for the charity.
"The volunteers we have are doing a fantastic job but they would very much welcome some extra pairs of hands. We are urging anyone who can spare some time, whether it be a morning, an afternoon or just a couple of hours, to get in touch.
"An RNLI shop volunteer does more than merely take money over the counter – they are a special person who has decided they want to make a difference.
"Everyone has their own reasons for volunteering with the RNLI be it loyalty to the charity, time on their hands, the opportunity to meet new people, a personal challenge or maybe putting valuable skills to good use. Whatever the reason anyone interested in helping to run the Ramsey shop will receive a very warm welcome."
To find out more please contact RNLI shop services directly on 01202 336148 or email shop_services@rnli.org.uk . Alternatively get in touch with Ramsey Lifeboat Station on 01624 812169.
