About us

The Woodbridge and District Branch does not have a Lifeboat Station and our nearest station in Suffolk is Aldeburgh and Harwich in Essex. The Branch covers a wide area with Woodbridge at the centre. To the south we include Martlesham, Kesgrave, and along the river Deben to Waldringfield, Ramsholt, and Bawdsey at the entance to the River Deben. Along the east coast from Bawdsey we include Sutton, Shottisham, Alderton, Hollesley, up to Boyton, Butley and Chillisford. To the north and west we include Melton, Ufford, Pettistree, Framlingham, Eyke, Wickham Market, Campsea Ashe, Charsfield, Bredfield, Grundisburgh, Hasketon and the Bealings.

We work closely with our adjoining branches (Felixstowe, Ipswich, Stowmarket, and Aldeburgh) to ensure that fundraising opportunities are not missed at branch boundaries and to help each other out at times of insufficient resource to maximise a fundraising event.

The Branch has a willing band of about 20 active supporters that we can call on for help when needed for fund raising events such as store collections, flag days, etc. You do not need to be a member of the RNLI to be a helper/supporter but naturally we would encourage people to become RNLI members. We are just as happy to have people who are willing and able to spare a few hours in support of our volunteer lifeboat crews who put their lives at risk to save others.

The Branch is steered by a committee whose prime role is to organise and coordinate a full fundraising programme (and to have fun doing so). The committee meets on average five times a year; much discussion and debate centres on identifying new and novel ways of fundraising. Regardless of new ideas, our most profitable events continue to be store collections, Flag Day, sale of Christmas cards, quiz nights, cheese and wine evening and the like.

We are always seeking new members and supporters; the more the merrier, and more importantly, a sure way of increasing our fundraising income. If you would like to become a supporter or have some fundraising ideas to suggest then please contact either the Chairman or Secretary.