The fundraising campaign launched by the Ambassador will last until 31 July. Donations are accepted to a dedicated bank account of VMSZ at OTP Bank 11705008-20500959-00000000.

With the Balaton-swim and the related fundraising, Ambassador Knott wants to raise awareness of the importance of the excellent work carried out by the lifesavers. Furthermore, the Ambassador aims to strengthen co-operation between the most prestigious British and Hungarian lifesaving agencies, VMOSZ and RNLI, as an example of British-Hungarian bilateral civilian relations.

"I am personally committed to supporting the lifesavers", Ambassador Jonathan Knott said. "As a student, I used to work as a lifesaver in a local swimming pool. Later on, I sailed a lot in the UK and elsewhere and I saw lifesavers in action several times. And now that I have children, I appreciate the importance of water rescue even more."

The Ambassador is a Trustee of the Lifeboat Fund, a British NGO raising funds in support of the Royal National Lifesaving Institute, an agency specialised in sea rescue. Funds raised through the Balaton-swim shall be divided evenly between the RNLI and the VMSZ, Hungary's largest public service organisation specialised in water rescue.

Sándor Bagyó, President of VMSZ was pleased to learn about Ambassador Knott's initiative. "The fund raising campaign of the Ambassador is an excellent initial step that can hopefully facilitate co-operation between the two lifesaving agencies, for example through professional exchange programmes. Considering that there has never been a major fundraising campaign before in Hungary for the benefit of lifesavers, we would also be very interested to learn about the fundraising methods of the Lifeboat Fund", Sándor Bagyó said.

In addition to the Balaton region, VMSZ is present in eight counties in Hungary, with some 600 members. The highly qualified professional staff and volunteers of VMSZ have rescued or provided medical help to 3000 people since the association was launched in 1999. The members of the agency continuously develop their knowledge and technical infrastructure in order to provide timely assistance to those in need. Hungary’s largest water rescue organisation is also active on the shores of Hungary’s waters, working to prevent accidents.

Funds raised in the campaign shall contribute to the provision of a kit of lifejackets to the sea rescue staff of RNLI, as well as the costs of lifesaving tools for rescue operations on Lake Balaton, and
professional trainings for VMSZ.

Photo: Sándor Bagyó, President of the Hungarian National Lifesavers Service (on the left) and British Ambassador to Hungary Jonathan Knott (on the right).

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