Celebrating the RNLI family, past and present

Lifeboat baby joins a tale of two stations

Congratulations to RNLI crew members Sharon and Gary, who welcomed baby Jamie (pictured) into the world earlier this year.
Gary says: ‘As this is our first baby, things have changed a lot. He’s a good sleeper, so we are very blessed – although it’s certainly a lot different to a pager going off in the middle of the night!’ Sharon and Gary met 7 years ago, during an RNLI training exercise. The couple soon fell in love and married 3 years later. Sharon has been with Newcastle Lifeboat Station for 16 years and Gary has been a crew member at Kilkeel, where he works, for 13 years. Before going on maternity leave, Sharon volunteered as a D class helm and a member of the Flood Rescue Team. She’d also started training to be a coxswain, which she plans to resume when she’s back at the station.

Piece of cake!

We couldn’t help but admire the wedding cake of Macduff Crew Member Steven and his new wife, Vicki. Eagle-eyed readers might
notice how detailed this replica of Macduff’s B class inshore lifeboat is, from Lydia MacDonald’s nameplate and operational number to Steven’s yellow wellies and lifejacket! Steven says: ‘I’ve been at Macduff Lifeboat Station for about 6 years now. I love being part of the crew; it’s like a second family to me!’