Yorkshire Building Society's Tenby branch is on a mission to raise funds for its chosen Charity of the Year, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

And to celebrate the launch of their 2012 fundraising, staff were joined by RNLI volunteers from the nearby lifeboat station as they took part in the charity's biggest annual fundraising event.

Yorkshire Building Society staff were all wearing Spots Or Stripes for RNLI SOS Day and encouraged customers and members to join the fun as they kicked off their year of fundraising for the charity that saves lives at sea.

Sian Rees, branch manager, said: "I am delighted that we have chosen the RNLI as our 2012 Charity of the Year and that we started the fundraising by getting involved in RNLI SOS Day.

"The RNLI 's volunteer crews in this area play a vital role in keeping our seas and beaches safe, so I'm proud that we will be doing our bit in supporting them and giving something back to thank them for all their hard work.

"I am hoping our customers and members of the public in Tenby are going to get behind us in 2012 and help us raise a fantastic amount of money for the RNLI."

The Yorkshire Building Society - the UK's second largest building society - are calling their fundraising campaign Come Rain Or Shine, to acknowledge the fact that RNLI volunteers head out to sea to rescue people whatever the weather. All members of staff at the society's branch at Tudor Square will be undertaking fundraising for the charity which will be added up throughout the year to make one fantastic donation to the RNLI at the end of 2012.

The Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation, which is the focal point for all Yorkshire, Barnsley and Chelsea Building Society's charitable giving, will also be making a significant contribution to the total raised.

All funds raised by the team at the Tenby branch and through the support of customers and members of the public will mean that the RNLI can train more of its vital volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards who are called to the rescue - no matter what the weather, come rain or shine!

The RNLI was chosen as the Charity of the Year through a member vote. Last year, Yorkshire Building Society staff managed to raise £175,000 for the 2011 Charity of the Year, Alzheimer's Society - the largest amount raised by staff in the society's history.