World Cup save by RNLI volunteer.
Hartlepool RNLI volunteer Fred Robinson made a vital save on World Cup Wednesday night when he prevented a dog from drowning in Hartlepool Marina.
The sprightly 67 year old who is a lock gate operator at the Marina and Deputy Launch Authority at the Ferry Road lifeboat station sprang into action when two passers-by alerted him to the fact that a dog was struggling in the Marina close to the nearby Sea Cadet building.
Fred immediately jumped into one of the Hartlepool Marina boats and quickly found the dog, plucked it to safety from the water and then took it back to the lock gates office where it was dried off and made comfortable for the night.
Following the dramatic rescue Fred said ‘I’m more used to pulling people out of the sea after 28 years volunteering with the RNLI but this is my first dog rescue’
‘I have called him ‘Pickles’ because he was in a bit of a pickle when I saved him and I think there is a World Cup connection there as well after the dog that found the World Cup back in 1966’.
‘It's been a disappointing night for the England World Cup team but a good night for 'Pickles'.
'He’s a lovely friendly terrier and I hope we can reunite him with his owner quickly’.
If anyone can help reunite ‘Pickles’ with his owner please contact Hartlepool Marina on 01429 865744.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Tom Collins, RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on: 07896 793557. Or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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 RNLIFor 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 enquiriesMembers 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
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.