RNLI volunteers recognised for commitment to charity

Robbie Maiden, Tommy Price and Mike Craddy received their long service badges at the Ferry Road lifeboat station to commemorate the milestone.

Offshore client representative Robbie Maiden, 50, said: ‘I have actually served a little more than 30 years on the crew. I joined when I was 17, but had been a regular at the boathouse long before that as my dad was on the crew.

'I still thoroughly enjoy being part of the crew. It’s like having a second family but most important of all is playing a part in saving someone’s life or simply helping people who are in trouble at sea. My time here has been, and still is, a very rewarding experience.'

Retired print room technician Mike Craddy, 60, said: '20 years is quite a milestone in my time with the RNLI. I have seen many changes in both technology and the fantastic standard of training that the institute provide.

'Having such dedicated crew members over the years has helped make my job running the station very satisfying. I joined the RNLI to give something back and it has been an immensely satisfying job over the years.’

Retired Tommy Price, 72, has been a member of the lifeboat crew for 30 years and is now an admin assistant at the station. Tommy said: ‘Overall it has been a very enjoyable experience, playing a small or large part in helping people in trouble at sea is what being part of the RNLI is all about.

'Another nice aspect of the RNLI is watching the new volunteers develop their skills and make their way through the ranks to become coxswains and helms, and knowing that one day they will be out at sea to help save someone’s life.'

RNLI media contact

For more information please telephone Tom Collins, Hartlepool RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07896 793557

Picture caption: Hartlepool RNLI volunteers (left to right) Tommy Price, Mike Craddy and Robbie Maiden with their long service badges and fellow volunteer crew members.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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 or by email.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland