Walmer helm receives Community Champion Award
Walmer helm Dave Mitchell has been recognised for his dedication to service by his employer, Hearst.
Hearst is one of America’s largest global, diversified information, services and media companies. Dave is an IT Infrastructure Project Manager for Hearst Technology Services and he has been selected as a 2026 Hearst Gives back Service Award Honoree in the Community Champion category.
The awards celebrate the company’s culture of giving back and the impact employees have on their local communities. Each individual honoree receives $2,500 and Dave has nominated the RNLI to be the recipient of the donation.
He has been volunteering for the Charity for 20 years. He says: ‘Volunteering with the RNLI has been one of the most meaningful commitments of my life. And it’s humbling to have that service acknowledged.’
Although having to retire from the station’s smaller D Class lifeboat, he’s excited to continue volunteering on the larger lifeboat. He added:’ I’m committed to mentoring future crew , managing launch operations and participating in search and rescue operations.’
Notes to editors
Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.
It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Hounslow Branch and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.
Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry
To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
- Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
- Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 [email protected]
- Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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