Special award for opera-singing busker who has raised thousands for the RNLI

James and his wife Jane had a holiday cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay from the 1990s and made friends with a number of locals, including Jim and Carol Foster who are part of the Robin Hood’s Bay Branch of fundraisers for the RNLI.

Jim Foster said: 'James is a trained opera singer, and although he no longer sings professionally he does like to keep his voice in trim. When at Haworth, to exercise his voice, he had busked for a variety of charities, and having moved to the coast he took little persuading to busk for the RNLI.'

Darren Marshall, the treasurer of Robin Hood's Bay Branch, provides him with an RNLI collecting bucket and also a T-shirt printed with the branch QR code. As well as delighting the locals and visitors at Robin Hood’s Bay with his opera singing, James also busks for the RNLI from time to time at Staithes where he is supported by Colin Harrison.

Jim added: 'We are very proud of James's unique and individual contribution to RNLI funds, which now total well over £10,000 (£8000+ in Robin Hood's Bay, £2000+ in Staithes).

Whitby RNLI Museum curator and Whitby Lifeboat Station Launch authority Neil Williamson presented James with a Certificate of Thanks signed by Peter Sparkes, Chief Executive of the Lifeboat Charity.

The presentation took place at the Hotel Victoria, on Monday 14 September. Arrangements have also been made for James (and Jane) to have a personal guided tour of Whitby Lifeboat Station and the current Lifeboat, the Lois-Ivan.

Neil Williamson said: 'It was an honour to present James with his certificate of thanks, he has contributed a significant amount to the RNLI and we are extremely grateful.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ceri Oakes, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Whitby RNLI, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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