Celebrating the RNLI family, past and present

From volunteers to rescuees
Mike and Jan King have fundraised for a quarter of a century – but never thought they would be on the receiving end of the charity’s help until the RNLI saved them, their daughter and their friends. Originally based in Derbyshire, miles from the sea, the couple rarely used the sea themselves. ‘But we moved to the Welsh coast 2 years ago and last Summer took our boat out with friends,’ says Mike. ‘On our way back we got caught in a squall and a huge wave flooded the boat. We started sinking and called for help.

‘The Moelfre lifeboat arrived along with an RAF helicopter. By that point our friends had swallowed a lot of water. My daughter, who already had a medical condition, also needed urgent attention and was evacuated by helicopter to hospital. It was touch and go and very scary.

‘After we were rescued by the Moelfre crew, we found out they needed a new lifeboat station. We wanted to do whatever we could. So we have now been focussing on local fundraising events for the appeal.’

Dedicated volunteer retires

A lifeboat operations manager from the north east of England has retired after more than 3 decades of voluntary service.

Dave Cammish first enrolled as a Redcar crew member in 1982 and served on the station’s lifeboats until 1996. He then became one of the RNLI’s deputy launching authorities, responsible for liaising with the coastguards when lifeboats are tasked.

In 2007 Dave became Lifeboat Operations Manager and served in that position until his retirement in June. ‘After all this time it’s hard to stand down but retirement comes to us all,’ says Dave. During his time with the RNLI, the town’s lifeboats have launched nearly 1,200 times. At least 240 people owe their lives to the efforts of the crew, and nearly 800 more have been assisted or rescued. In recognition of Dave’s long service with the RNLI, he and his wife Liz attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the Summer.