A fundraiser in memory of Flintshire Grandad who passed away last year reaches £650 for RNLI

A woman from Flintshire has fundraised throughout January for RNLI after her grandad passed away due to cancer last year.

RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat crews and lifeguards help rescue people across the country year on year and have saved over 143,000 lives since 1824.

Last year, RNLI spent £1.2m on PPE to keep the crew and public safe during the pandemic, including almost 700,000 face masks, 2.4m gloves and 4,700 litres of hand sanitiser.

Natalie Fitzsimmons and her family tragically lost dad, grandad and great grandad Walter Taylor due to cancer last year in December 2020.

In his memory, Natalie decided to set up a fundraiser for RNLI Flint lifeboat who currently employ the services of volunteer Lee Morris – Walter’s grandson.

Natalie said: “Walter, known as Wally, was an amazing dad, grandad and great grandad. He sadly lost his fight with cancer in December 2020, but showed great strength and courage all the way through.

“Walter worked overseas, in particular the Falkland Islands where he was a carpenter.

“Walter’s grandson Lee Morris is a volunteer for the RNLI Flint lifeboat, who required essential tools for maintenance. As Wally was a carpenter by trade, and rescue services being close to his heart, the family thought that donations to RNLI would be a fitting tribute.”

The target set by Natalie of £350 was beaten with the total raised before JustGiving deductions being £650, and the final total of £626.12 having been sent to RNLI as of last week.

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Media Manager, said: “It is a really wonderful gesture. Our lifeboats continue to launch to those in trouble at sea, and having their right kit to be able to do their job is imperative. It’s so wonderful that during their grief the family made this wonderful gesture to the RNLI, which is very much appreciated.

“In terms of the national picture, from a fundraising perspective, in this changing and challenging environment, it’s very hard to predict with absolute certainty what impact the coronavirus will have on our financial situation.

“Like many charities, the RNLI’s ability to raise vital funds has been affected by the pandemic; our legacy income is down due to a fall in the stock and property market, our 174 shops were shut at the height of restrictions, and face-to-face fundraising is unable to take place. We don’t know when or where further impact might happen in the next few weeks and months as there is so much uncertainty.

“The RNLI has used various governments’ wage subsidy schemes to help mitigate this fall in income, as well as developing new ways of fundraising. We’ve also significantly reduced our expenditure this year, with activity like boat building and construction of new lifeboat stations having to be paused.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/natalie-fitzsimmons-2.

To find out more about the work of RNLI, the services they offer and other details, visit https://rnli.org/.