The Hallmark Security Football League has today (18 July 2017) announced it is partnering with the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.

The partnership will aim to educate and influence those who are at the greatest risk of drowning as part of the charity’s national drowning campaign, Respect the Water. The RNLI will become the official charity partner of the League, giving access to clubs, officials and supporters to undertake education and fundraising events at games and other League events. This will be the first time the RNLI has partnered with a UK Football League in this way.

The RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign is targeted at adult men as current drowning figures show a clear gender divide – men accounted for nearly three-quarters (73%) of the 127 coastal deaths in the north of England from 2012-2016. However, the campaign advice is relevant to anyone who goes near the water.

Becky Pavey, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, said: ‘Our charity is aiming to halve the number of accidental coastal deaths by 2024 and so partnerships like this one with the Hallmark Security League will be crucial to helping us achieve our aim by sharing vital safety messages.

‘We are very excited to be supported by the league and look forward to working with them to raise awareness of our Respect the Water campaign amongst football fans and to raise funds which will help our volunteer crews and lifeguards continue to save lives.’

Paul Lawler, Chairman of The Hallmark Security League, said: “We are delighted to welcome the RNLI on board at the League’s Official Charity Partner for the forthcoming season. The Partnership allows us to promote the fantastic work done by the charity to an audience who are at a higher risk of drowning and we look forward to undertaking a number of events throughout the season to both fundraise and raise awareness of the RNLIs activities.

“With the majority of our clubs being based near to or within reasonable travelling distance of the coast we believe the partnership is a great opportunity to help promote an organisation that is dedicated to saving lives but it run by volunteers.”