Meet Our Charity of the Year GAFIRS at Garsons Titchfield
All aboard! A lifeboat is docking at Garsons Titchfield, Hampshire!
Meet our Charity of the Year – GAFIRS
Bring the whole family and discover what it’s like to step onboard a lifeboat with the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS), who will be showcasing their fundraising boat. Volunteers will be available to share sea safety advice, answer your questions, show you inside the lifeboat, and accept donations — every contribution supports vital equipment and training for the lifeboat crews.
Founded in 1969, GAFIRS is an independent lifeboat and inshore rescue organisation. As an officially recognised service by the UK Coastguard, they provide emergency lifeboat coverage for the Eastern Solent and Portsmouth Harbour, reachable within 30 minutes from Garsons Titchfield. Although the crew members hold regular day jobs, they are ready to respond immediately whenever the Coastguard issues a pager alert — operating around the clock, every day of the year, in all weather conditions.
On average, GAFIRS responds to about 100 incidents annually. Their missions range from towing vessels in distress to administering lifesaving first aid to critically injured individuals. The team has earned national commendations for their life-saving efforts, with volunteers dedicating hundreds of hours each year to keep this essential service running.
Beyond emergency response, GAFIRS actively supports the community through safety presentations at water sports clubs, accident prevention and beach safety events at schools, participation in local fairs and fetes, the exciting 999 Emergency Services Day, and the popular New Year’s Day Swim.
Catch them at Garsons Titchfield, Hampshire…
10am until 3pm
- Wednesday 23rd July
- Wednesday 30th July
- Tuesday 5th August
- Tuesday 12th August
- Thursday 28th August
Don’t forget to snap a photo with the boat and share it with us!