Lifeboats are usually named after generous benefactors, but as a first for Tenby RNLI, a caravan at the award-winning Haven holiday company now bears the name of an RNLI hero.

In celebration of Haven’s fifth year of supporting the lifesaving charity a caravan at Lydstep Haven Park has been named to honour the courage of lifeboat crews past and present.

Outside the caravan a Haven-blue nameplate adorns the name of ‘Grace Darling’ - the name of the first lifeboat in Tenby from 1852-63 and the first woman to receive a RNLI medal for bravery.

One dreadful night in September 1838, stormy seas smashed the steamship SS Forfarshire onto the rocks around Longstone lighthouse, Grace Darling’s home in the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland. The boat sank with more than 48 people on board.

In torrential rain, and lashed by ferocious waves, Grace and her lighthouse keeper father William rowed for almost a mile to rescue the survivors. William tended to the injured as waves threatened to tear them all from the rocks to certain death.

Grace stayed in control of the boat, rowing it backwards and forwards to avoid crashing into the reef.

Five hours later, nine survivors had been rescued. The extraordinary act of courage became internationally known, making front page news, and even reaching Queen Victoria.

The bravery the Darlings demonstrated that night, in risking their lives to save others in the face of great danger, continues to inspire the values we hold today.

Inside the caravan, details of their life-saving deeds are immortalised on a wall-mounted plaque, alongside ways Haven Holiday guests can donate to the RNLI.

The charity partnership has seen Haven raise a massive £200,000 for RNLI nationwide so far in 2022.

Not only has this surpassed Haven’s original target of £125,000, but it was achieved during its first year of operating since Covid-19 and the sum represents the most money Haven has ever raised for the RNLI since the partnership began five years ago.

Corrie Parris, Haven PR Manager, said: “We are proud to support the RNLI and honour the selfless and important work their volunteer lifesavers do.

“By commemorating them in this way we hope will provide a permanent reminder to our 2.5 million annual holidaymakers of the commitments the RNLI’s volunteer crews have made – and continue to make – in ensuring we enjoy our country’s fabulous coastline safely.

“This is why we have been supporting the lifeboats since 2018 as many of the RNLI’s lifeboat stations are near to our 41 parks.”

Haven raises money for the RNLI to give the crews the kit and training they need to stay safe and save lives at sea Up to mid October 2022, Haven has raised over £614,100 for the RNLI, with over £200,000 raised this year alone – something Haven is immensely proud of.

Georgie Stanton, RNLI Senior Partnerships Manager, said: “As a charity we rely on donations to run our lifesaving service, so we are extremely grateful for the support we have received from Haven during our partnership.

“Their fundraising efforts have helped to train and equip our lifeboat crew to save lives at sea, and their spreading of water safety messages to their guests will undoubtedly have prevented incidents from taking place.

“These caravans are a fantastic way to recognise the vital work our volunteers and lifeboat stations do for their local communities to keep them safe while they are enjoying time at the coast.”

Haven is also working with the RNLI to make everyone a little more sea-savvy through water safety tips. These tips can be found at www.haven.com/about-us/charity.

If you would like to donate to the RNLI, visit here: https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/donate/other-ways-to-donate-to-the-rnli