A GRUELLING joint effort by Rhyl's schoolchildren has helped kit out members of the RNLI.

Pupils of Ysgol Emmanuel and Ysgol Llywelyn visited the Rhyl RNLI station, on behalf of the town's Rhyl Learning Community (RLC) group, to donate the £2000 from last year's triathlon held at Marine Lake.

The donation will be used to help fund the new Helly Hansen protective kit for the crew in May, which will be invaluable on the station's new Shannon-class lifeboat, coming to Rhyl at the end of the year.

The annual multi-sports event, which took place in September, was organised by Ysgol Llywelyn teacher included pupils from Rhyl High School, Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School, Ysgol Llywelyn, Ysgol Emmanuel, Ysgol Christ Church, Ysgol Mair, Ysgol Dewi Sant, Bryn Hedydd and Ysgol y Castell.

Alison Matthias, headteacher of Ysgol Emmanuel, said: "I think it's a really fun event that the children really, but it's so worthwhile because it's the whole of the Rhyl community getting together and to do good for others, particularly for the RNLI as a safety net for when our children enjoy the beaches this year."

Pupils from the schools competed on land and in the water in an elite event, which was won by Bryn Heddyd, and relay triathlon won by pupils from Ysgol y Castell.

Coxswain Paul Frost said: "We are very grateful that the local schools have chosen our charity to support, and we thank them all for their efforts. The RNLI relies on voluntary contributions, and this money will go to keeping Rhyl crew safe and warm when they save lives at sea."