Exmouth RNLI shop volunteers, Margaret and Biddy retire after 23 years
Dedicated volunteers, Margaret Griffin and Biddy Midgley both 83, retired from duty at the Exmouth RNLI visitor experience centre on Queens Drive on 30 May.
In addition to working their weekly rota shifts, they also manned stalls at numerous outside events over many years. The ladies are still continuing to help at future events, such as Exmouth Open Days, which will be on 13 August this year.
Other shop volunteers threw a party at the end of their last shift, bringing in food and homemade cakes.
Margaret and Biddy received their long-service certificates, signed by Chief Executive, Paul Boissier and engraved crystal vases at the recent inshore lifeboat Naming Ceremony on 20 May. On their leaving day, they were presented with bouquets of roses and Sweet William. Exmouth RNLI Crew volunteers presented the ladies with a framed photo.
Shop Manager, Linda Cawsey said both ladies will be missed by the team:
‘Over their 23 years’ service, Margaret and Biddy have seen four inshore lifeboats, five all-weather lifeboats and a brand new lifeboat station in Exmouth. Before we moved into our new boathouse, shop volunteers worked inside the old lifeboat station alongside Crew volunteers. Their knowledge has helped me in my initial period as joint Manager with all their valuable experience and they will be greatly missed.’
Notes to Editors
More details on our charity’s Respect the Water campaign can be found here: www.respectthewater.com.
Photos: (Credit Exmouth RNLI)
PR310517 Margaret Griffin (front left) and Biddy Midgley (front right) in the Exmouth RNLI shop with other shop volunteers.
For more information please telephone Emma Tarling, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or email: [email protected].
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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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