Celebrating the RNLI family, past and present

NO PEACE FOR NEWLY WEDS

‘Just another day being married to an RNLI coxswain,’ says newly-wed Trina Sawyer, whose big day with Eastbourne lifeboat Coxswain Mark Sawyer was interrupted by the sound of pagers. In the middle of his wedding day, Mark and the volunteer crew were called to assist a man who’d jumped from Eastbourne Pier. As if that wasn’t enough, Trina continues: ‘Not only did we get the shout on the wedding day, we had also arranged a big after-wedding party 3 weeks later for the lifeboat crew, fundraisers and harbour staff. It was due to start at 7.30pm but the all-weather crew got paged to assist a yacht at 6pm. When they finally got to the party at 8.45-ish, they got to the bar and their pagers went off again. I couldn't believe it! This time it was to assist a motor cruiser. ‘They finally got back to our reception at 10.45pm, soaked in sweat. Needless to say, the party was a bit thinner on the ground than we had hoped.’

Family volunteers honoured

The Martin family of Newbiggin have been praised as local heroes for collectively dedicating more than 150 years to the RNLI. Husband and wife Tim and Barbara Martin and their son Richard were honoured in Northumberland County Council’s Local Hero Awards. Tim has served the Newbiggin lifeboat for 57 years as second mechanic, deputy launching authority and boathouse manager; while, after 52 years of volunteering, Barbara is now president of the Newbiggin Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild fundraising team. Richard joined the team more than 42 years ago and the family are currently restoring the town’s Rocket House, built in 1866 to house lifesaving apparatus.

' If I can make a difference by raising money ... I will be so proud'

Coming from a long line of rowers and RNLI supporters, Lottie Pitcher (pictured, right) is training to row 162 miles from Burnham to the Isle of Wight. The sponsored challenge will take place in June and Lottie, who
is daughter of rowing world record breaker Charlie Pitcher, anticipates the challenge will take her 5 or 6 days. During this time, she’ll eat and sleep onboard her boat. She says: ‘My grandmother has been raising
money for the RNLI for over 50 years. I remember helping her when I was a little girl, and my family’s business regularly raises money for the lifeboats through sponsored rows. ‘My family are all involved in some sort of activity with the water – my
father and two cousins have all rowed oceans. If I can make a difference by raising money to help others stay safe at sea, then I will be so proud.’ To support Lottie, visit gofundme.com and search ‘Home 2 Home for RNLI’.

BABY ONBOARD

Thanks to the volunteers at Angle RNLI for sharing this cute photo of 7-month old Luke and his lifeboat crew parents at the station’s recent open day. He’s pictured with dad Lewis, who’s coxswain of the lifeboat, and mum Rhiannon, who’s a crew member. With those parents, it might not be long before Luke’s at the helm of Angle’s Tamar class lifeboat, Mark Mason.

Celebrating life

John Connell –
October 2016
Former Coxswain at Amble Lifeboat Station
Bill Foster – July 2016
Former Crew Member at Mudeford Lifeboat Station
Edward Hannford
– September 2016
Former Mechanic at Salcombe Lifeboat Station
Liam Hazzard – June 2016
Former Divisional Electronics Engineer, Ireland
Julie Mogg – August 2016
Former Solutionist at ILC Cowes
Steve Ormrod – August 2016
Former Business Analyst
Eileen Soper – August 2016
Former PA to the Head of Fundraising and Marketing
David Warren–
September 2016
Boathouse Attendant at Swanage Lifeboat Station