Long service awards for 3 Hartlepool RNLI volunteers.

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer crewmembers Steve Pounder (centre) and Steve Dunnett (right)  were awarded the RNLI 20 year long service medals and Eddie Atkinson was awarded the Honorary Life Governorship of the RNLI for 41 years service.

Steve Pounder has volunteered on the crew at Hartlepool for over 20 years on both the Inshore and All weather lifeboats and has recently become the Lifeboat station Visits Officer. Steve visits schools and clubs giving talks on the work of the RNLI both in Hartlepool and nationally.

Steve said ‘My Dad was Coxwain and I guess I just followed him into the RNLI although I didn’t join until I was in my mid 30’s. It’s been a great experience and one I wouldn’t have missed for the world.’

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer crewmember Steve Dunnett also received the RNLI’s 20 year long service and said ‘I was an Instructor with the Diving club and was asked if I would join Hartlepool Lifeboat crew and help the mechanics. I was a qualified mechanic and held all the first aid qualifications and it seem a natural progression.

I have enjoyed the teamwork working with likeminded people and being involved with water based activities. Two of my sons have followed me into the RNLI at Hartlepool.’

Steve has served as 2^nd Mechanic on the All weather lifeboat as well as the Inshore lifeboat.

The Honorary Governorship of the RNLI was posthumously awarded to Eddie Atkinson for his 41 years service as Lifeboat Station Treasurer at Hartlepool. Sadly Eddie passed away last October, aged 91 years old, without knowing of his award. The award was accepted on behalf of the family by Eddie’s son in law, Malcolm Wallis, (left) who has taken over as Station Treasurer and is also Press Officer at Hartlepool Lifeboat station.

Malcolm said ‘It was a great honour and privilege to receive the award on behalf of the family and Eddie deserved the highest award the RNLI can give to a non operational volunteer.’

Hartlepool RNLI Operations Manager, Mike Craddy said ‘We are all so proud of our volunteers whether they are crewmembers or officials, they all do a great job to help save lives at sea.’

Notes to editors

 Photo

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers Malcolm Wallis (left), Steve Pounder (centre) & Steve Dunnett (right)

Eddie Atkinson – posthumously awarded Honorary Governor of RNLI

•  Hartlepool lifeboat station has been operating since 1803. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org/hartlepool

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Malcolm Wallis, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07538 006694 or [email protected] or Alison Levett RNLI Media Relations Manager North on 07786 668912 or [email protected] contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

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.

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