Generous lifeboat donors visit Horton and Port Eynon RNLI

The new boat, to be named Barbara Jane, will be on station in 2018.

Dave and Barbara recently visited the Gower station to meet with volunteer crew and members of the station. They live in Devon and are active sailors. They are also very involved with their local RNLI station and Dave is also treasurer of the Brixham RNLI Fundraising Branch.

Their dedicated service has been recognised by the charity as both have been presented with their RNLI Gold Badge Awards.

Dave and Barbara were very pleased with the welcome they received from the crew and enjoyed looking around the station. They also commented on how beautiful they found Gower.

Lawrie Grove, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Horton and Port Eynon RNLI, added: ‘As a charity the RNLI relies on donations to support its lifesaving work. We are extremely grateful to Dave and Barbara for funding the new lifeboat which will serve this area for years to come. We look forward to welcoming them back to the station in the future.'

Notes to editors:

Attached is a photograph of Dave and Barbara Smithson with crew and members of Horton and Port Eynon RNLI. Those in the photo are (from left to right) Steven Fifield, Dave Tonge, Barbara Smithson, Dave Smithson, Anthony Payne, Nigel Bruce, Claire Owen, Sir Bob Hastie, Peter Muxworthy, Claire Payne and Steve Davies

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Brin Hurford, Horton and Port Eynon RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on [email protected], 07968 269550 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on [email protected], 01745 585162 or 07748 265496.

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.