Clacton RNLI volunteers receive generous donation
The volunteers of Clacton RNLI were honoured to welcome representation from The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons’ Colchester Lodge 31, with a donation of life saving equipment.
At a recent crew night, a small party from Colchester Lodge 31 which is a woman’s lodge and celebrating its 65th anniversary, presented the volunteers with lifesaving equipment valuing £2,500.
The equipment ranged from gloves, hand search lights, handheld radios, to a large flat screen tv to assist with the larger school groups welcomed to the station, and the growing use of video-based training to encourage beach and sea safety.
This was made possible by the fund-raising activities started during the term of Very Worshipful Peggy Halford, who nominated the RNLI as her favoured charity.
The Lodge was consecrated on 17 October 1953 by the then Grand Master with founder Worshipful Brother Maud Amey becoming first Master. She remained a faithful and loyal member of the Colchester Lodge until she was 103, being the Lodge organist past her 100th birthday.
The donation is reminiscent of the original made 140 years ago in 1878 by the Freemasons of England, which funded the setting up of a RNLI station and lifeboat at Clacton-on-sea, in gratitude of the safe return of the Grand Master (the then Prince of Wales who later become King Edward VII) from a tour of India. This support continued, resulting with the first three lifeboats all bearing the name Albert Edward in recognition.
Those wishing to know more about The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons can do so at their website www.hfaf.org or by emailing [email protected]
RNLI media contacts
- Richard Wigley, Lifeboat Press Officer, Clacton RNLI: 07903 424698
- Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer, North East and East: 07824 518641
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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