What’s it like to take a lifeboat through stormy seas while saving supporters from the muddy waters of legalese? Solicitor and former Coxswain John Stewart explains

‘I’m adjusting well but want to get used to being away before dipping back in,’ admits John Stewart as he muses over a possible new volunteering role for him. The gallantry medallist recently hung up his hat as volunteer Coxswain of Campbeltown lifeboat and is fresh from a well-earned sailing holiday in Croatia. Still senior partner of his family firm of solicitors, life continues to be hectic for John but the break has given him some time to reflect.

Home is a small fishing town at the remote end of the Kintyre Peninsula, famed for its whisky and a hit song by an ex-Beatle. ‘It’s quite isolated here so there’s an obvious sea connection,’ he explains. ‘I’ve always had a love for sailing and when the Longhope lifeboat disaster hit the headlines in ’69 it really affected me. I was only 17 but knew that I would be involved with the lifeboat one day.’

John pursued a legal career and started a family of his own before making a commitment to the RNLI. ‘By ’79 I’d found my feet workwise and was ready to join up,’ he says. ‘I was made very welcome.’

With all of those commitments, some juggling was necessary. ‘There’s no denying that being a crew member eats into your personal life but my wife and family have always been supportive,’ he explains. ‘Our children are grown up now but we always tailored our lifestyles around the lifeboat. I’ve been lucky to have the understanding of my business partners, staff and clients too. I remember running out of a meeting to go on a shout. My poor client had no idea what was going on but I found her patiently waiting for me on my return!’

John remembers his first shout: ‘A yacht had run aground and was sinking. We got her crew off, patched her up, refloated her and took her in. I was so proud of my crew. The yacht’s skipper said that if she had a dozen employees who worked as hard as my crew she’d be a millionaire by now! Appreciation like that is a good enough reward in itself.’

It was the 6-hour service to two fishermen in 2000 that earned John his Bronze Medal: ‘The weather was so bad that the rescue helicopter had to withdraw. I knew that we were the only people capable of saving those men. As Coxswain, I really felt that responsibility. But thanks to my crew’s training and the power of the Severn class lifeboat it was a great result.’

The RNLI was able to fund that lifeboat thanks to a generous gift in a supporter’s Will. John specialises in this area of law and has firm views: ‘Everyone needs to make one – it’s important to know what will happen to your estate when you die. Those who do think ahead usually leave something to family, friends and a charity – it’s easy to nominate who gets what percentage. I always get asked for advice and there’s no prizes for which worthy cause I recommend!’

Looking ahead, John is confident about the RNLI’s prospects. ‘It’s a really switchedon organisation and has responded well to changing times. Things are tough financially at the moment but I’m pretty sure that with the public’s support it can weather the storm.’ And what next for John? ‘I’ll continue in my legal work for a few years yet and hope to squeeze in some more sailing. I hope to stay involved with the RNLI in some capacity or another too …’

[If you would like more information on leaving a gift to the RNLI in your Will, please contact Mark Allwood on 01202 663032 or email [email protected].