Garage's 90-year support to Redcar RNLI recognised

EL Denney & Son has been based close to the town’s lifeboat station on the esplanade, Redcar, since 1928. The garage’s founder, Laurie Denney was a strong supporter of the RNLI. When his son Ian took over running garage that support continued.

Dave Cocks, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI explained: ‘Being so close to the lifeboat station, Denney’s garage has always been on hand to provide fuel for the lifeboats and launching vehicles. In fact their support goes back even to the time when the lifeboats were rowed by hand and horses were used to launch them.

‘It doesn’t matter what time of the day or night, if we ring Ian to ask for fuel, he’s always willing to open up the pumps to make sure the lifeboats are ready for the next launch.'

Dave Cocks added: 'And the support has always gone further than that. Because the lifeboat station is normally unmanned, the garage often takes in parcels when they can't be delivered directly to us. If we’ve need to borrow tools, or just tap into the expertise of the mechanics at the garage, that’s never been a problem either.

‘This goes to show that supporting the RNLI isn’t always just about making donations. We rely heavily on the goodwill of the local community in so many other ways as well. The recognition is well deserved.’

Ian Denney was presented with an engraved plaque bearing the charity’s crest and the certificate of thanks, signed by the RNLI’s chief executive, Paul Boissier, by Dave Cocks and representatives of the lifeboat crew and management team. Ian was joined by his wife Pat and son Chris, together with staff from the garage for the presentation.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Attached images show the presentation of a certificate of thanks and engraved plaque to Ian Denney.

Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802

Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire

For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

Any images used should be credited RNLI/Redcar unless indicated

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07894 558 483. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [email protected]

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.