This article about Mrs. Dorothy M'Gonigle, of Stockton, who is doing sterling work for the R.N.L.I., was written by Susan Slater and first appeared in the 'Evening Gazette', Middlesbrough.

It is reproduced by permission of the Editor.LIFE-BOAT FLAG DAY in the Stockton area last year raised a record amount—almost £1,000.

And it was largely due to a remarkable woman, Mrs. Dorothy M'Gonigle, champion of the Royal National Life-boat Institution cause for over 40 years.

For six weeks every year Mrs. M'Gonigle's home in Norton High Street becomes the centre of an operation of military precision—the organisation of the Stockton and district branch's flag day.

Four hundred and fifty empty life-boat collecting boxes left her home last month and they returned full of coins amounting to £955.

It was the largest flag day amount raised last year by any inland town or city in the north east area, from the Wash to the Tweed.

Mrs. M'Gonigle, gay, silver-haired with dancing blue eyes, is the widow of the former Medical Officer of Health for Stockton, Dr.

G. C. M. M'Gonigle.

He died tragically 30 years ago at the age of 49 and a film for world-wide distribution, 'One Man's Story' was made about his life and work.

Since his death she has devoted all her timeto her duties as honorary secretary of the Stockton and district branch of the R.N.L.I.

She became interested in the charity when she was a young girl.

'I always thought it was a wonderful thing for men to risk their lives at sea, especially for someone they do not even know.' When she moved to Norton well over 40 years ago with her husband, she joined the local branch and has become expert in planning flag days, each year usually managing to raise more than the one before.

She runs flag days like a social event.With her gracious hostess manner she treats every one of her helpers, and there are about 200 of them, as if they were her guests.

Her personality charms them into returning year after year willing to stand all day in the streets, whatever the weather, holding a plastic model life-boat.

'Some people have been helping me for over 20 years', said Mrs. M'Gonigle.

The planning starts about six weeks before flag day.

'First I send out about 250 postcards to people announcing the date of flag day', she said.

Two weeks later she speaks to as many as possible on the telephone asking them if they will be able to help. She ticks off the names on her huge list if they agree.

Then she goes to see every person who has agreed and delivers the boats.

The traditional cardboard collecting boats have been superseded by orange plastic ones.

'The old ones went soggy when it was wet and cost so much to repair', explained Mrs.

M'Gonigle.

She has no car, so friends help her to visit every person.

'If I give people the boats they cannot very well not go out collecting', she said.

'You must be a warrior if you want to get things done. They always say I have got a gun in my pocket, but I also have love in my heart.'And when it is all over the ever-active Mrs.

M'Gonigle does not stop. She then starts thinking about selling R.N.L.I. Christmas cards.

All this from a woman who is certainly not young any more. And her exact age ? She declined to say.

'Age doesn't matter to me at all. I just like to keep going all the time', she said.

Mrs. M'Gonigle's efforts have not gone unnoticed by the R.N.L.I.

In April last year she received the Institution's gold badge for service from the Duchess of Kent in the Royal Festival Hall, London..