RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crew performed a high-wire act, 40 feet up in the trees, to receive a donation of £1,000 to the RNLI from tree top adventure company Go Ape! on Monday 19 April.
Outdoor activity company Go Ape! specialises in getting people out of their comfort zones and encouraging them to get the adrenalin pumping through living life more adventurously.
The company handed over the donation – to be split £500 each between the RNLI lifeboat and lifeguard service in the area – at its recently opened 40ft high tree top giant obstacle course adventure at Pembrey Country Park in South West Wales.
Bev Rosser-Smith, area fundraising manager for the RNLI, said: ‘We are delighted and extremely grateful to have received this fantastic donation from Go Ape!.
‘The RNLI realises that people will want to have adventure in their life – both on land and at sea – and we encourage enjoyment in the safe and responsible way that companies like Go Ape! offer.
‘Go Ape! puts a premium on safety as well as adventure, and customers at the 26 Go Ape! centres are given a 30-minute safety briefing and training before being let loose in a forest canopy, with instructors always on hand.
‘But while we are happy to encourage people seeking adventure to behave safely, the RNLI is also there to help should anything go wrong on our patrolled beaches or at sea.’
Wayne Shead, from Go Ape!, added: ‘In 2009, Go Ape donated more than £65,000 to good causes and to celebrate our millionth customer each centre donated £1,000 to a charity of Go Ape’s! choice which shared our ethos in improving people’s lives through living life adventurously.
‘This year, each of Go Ape’s! courses is once again donating £1,000 to a charity of its choice and the team at Pembrey Country Park selected the RNLI as its dedicated charity.’
