Exmouth RNLI is very proud to have two of our fundraisers recognised for their tireless fundraising work at a ceremony in Dartington Hall. Jean Carpenter and Mike Baldwin have amassed a spectacular 85 years of fundraising for the RNLI between them.
The award ceremony took place at Dartington Hall, Totnes and honoured volunteers from around the south west for their work for the RNLI. The event was hosted by Charles Hunter-Pease OBE Chairman of the RNLI. Jean and Mike invited their close family and friends to the award ceremony but were also supported by Exmouth lifeboat station, with Kevin Riley, Exmouth Lifeboat operations manager; Steve Hockings-Thompson, Coxswain of Exmouth RNLI and Pat Atkinson Exmouth RNLI shop manager.
Both Jean and Mike have both worked tirelessly for the RNLI. Jean started fundraising when she lived in Ireland, then moved back to England and even now after 50 years of fundraising opens her garden to raise funds for the RNLI. She is determined to continue raising money: 'As long as they need to launch the lifeboat, I will carry on raising money!’
Jean opens her garden at 5 Beeches Close, Woodbury for the last time on 24 July 1-5pm. (Admission £1.50 Cream teas £3).
Mike was honoured to have friends support him from the Lewisham fundraising branch, where he began his fundraising for the RNLI 35 years ago. Mike is now an active member of Exmouth RNLI fundraising team and a shop volunteer. He believes fundraising should be fun.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
