The RNLI is calling on people across the south west to support its brave volunteer lifeboat crews as Mayday, the charity’s national annual fundraising campaign, is launched.

The campaign began on Monday, May 1, and runs for the whole of the month.

It calls on people to ‘do their bit, fund our kit’ with the life-saving charity hoping to raise £750,000 to fund the crucial kit volunteer crews rely on, like lifejackets, helmets and the RNLI’s iconic yellow wellies.

As part of the fundraising events RNLI crews and volunteers are preparing to hold a Station to Station Yellow Welly Relay.

A yellow welly boot is being transported around the coast, starting at Portishead, before finishing at Hawich.

It ended up at Weston-Super-Mare on Monday and you can follow the boot’s progress at www.facebook.com/RNLIMaydayWellyRelay

Michael England, Padstow RNLI mechanic and deputy second coxswain, said: “RNLI volunteer crew members are willing to drop everything to go and save lives at sea when their pagers beep. Our lifeboat crew kit is absolutely vital when we’re out in all weathers saving lives at sea.

“Last year, RNLI crews launched 8,851 times and saved 431 lives.

“The Mayday campaign is our own call for help and we’re asking people to do their bit to fund our kit throughout May.

“There are all sorts of ways to raise money for Mayday. From wearing wellies to work or doing a sponsored welly walk, to holding a bake sale or doing a sponsored cycle ride.”

Anyone who wants to get involved should visit RNLI.org/Mayday to register for a free Mayday pack.

The webpsite also contains fundraising ideas and provides a list fundraising events.