A marine-friendly scroll with the names of supporters’ loved ones tied to a wreath of green leaves and purple flowers. Photo: RNLI/Charlotte Hill

Forever in our hearts

Tuesday 14 April 2026

Earlier this year, the lifesavers at Withernsea RNLI laid a special wreath at sea to honour 250 loved ones.

Our latest Christmas Appeal featured the heartbreaking story of Pete, a fisherman and good friend of the lifeboat crew at Withernsea RNLI. In 2019, Pete went missing after going overboard. The Withernsea volunteer crew desperately searched for him for hours, alongside neighbouring lifeboat crews, a Coastguard helicopter and at least 20 local fishing boats – to no avail.

Helm Antony Binns remembers: ‘It was heart-wrenching – the worst feeling in the world. We hadn’t achieved what we set out to do. We strive to bring people back’.

The wreath, with green leaves, purple flowers and a scroll attached, rests on a commemorative bench in Pete’s memory. — The names were added to a scroll and attached to the wreath

In their memory

In February, we added Pete’s name – alongside 250 names of loved ones that kind supporters sent in – to a special wreath.

The Withernsea crew laid the ocean-friendly wreath at sea in a small, moving ceremony. It was a sunny day and the crew spoke the lifeboat prayer as the wreath was carefully placed into the water.

Lasting legacy

Thanks to your kindness, our 2025 Christmas Appeal raised over £2M. Pete’s legacy lives on, alongside your loved ones, through the lifesaving funds donated by people like you.

As a charity, we rely on the kindness and generosity of people like you to power our lifesaving. Find new ways to support the RNLI, from volunteering your time to raising vital funds.

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