Redcar RNLI volunteer awards

Dr Roger Smith, a Redcar-based general practitioner, has been the lifeboat medical adviser in Redcar for over 20 years. He was presented with the RNLI’s gold badge in recognition of his work with the crews at Redcar.

Jenny Emmerson, who is the chair of the Redcar Ladies Lifeboat Guild, was presented with a bar to her gold badge. Jenny has been involved with the ladies guild for over 35 years and was awarded the RNLI gold badge in 2012.

The ceremony was held at Ramside Hall in Durham, and the presentations were made by Charles Hunter-Pease, the retiring chairman of the RNLI.

On receiving his gold badge, Dr Smith said: ‘It’s been a privilege to work with the team at the lifeboat station. As their training has advanced over the years there’s been less and less emergency stuff I’ve had to do.

‘My role is mainly looking after the wellbeing of the volunteers, carrying out routine medicals and offering support after particularly traumatic incidents.

‘Nobody volunteers for the RNLI in the expectation that they will be given formal recognition for what they do. But of course I’m extremely proud to play my part and I was delighted when I was told about the award.’

Ian Readman, Chairman of Redcar RNLI, said: ‘There are many unsung heroes in the RNLI, and Jenny and Roger are first class examples of people who commit hour upon hour to support the work the lifeboat crews do.

‘Jenny and her ladies work tirelessly to raise thousands of pounds each year for us, and every penny of that goes to keeping our lifeboats at sea.

‘Roger has been a fantastic doctor for us. We know he’s always there for us when we need help and advice on medical matters. And there are some rescues that don’t have a good outcome and then Roger comes into his own with the support he gives to everyone involved.’

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Images show Dr Roger Smith and Jenny Emmerson receiving their awards. Credit RNLI/Adrian Don

Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802

Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Nicolas Thomas of Shropshire

For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07894 558 483, Alison Levett, RNLI PR Manager, North, on 01642 754828 or 07786 668912 or at [email protected]. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North on 01642 754811 or 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.