20 year’s service award for Hartlepool RNLI volunteer
Hartlepool RNLI volunteer Darren Killick was presented with his 20 year service award by coxswain Robbie Maiden during a presentation at the Ferry Road lifeboat station recently.
The fifty year old who is a Precision Testing Officer with ‘Openreach’ joined the crew after being in the Royal Navy for 13 years and currently volunteers as an inshore lifeboat helm and second coxswain and mechanic for the all-weather lifeboat said ‘When I left the Royal Navy I still wanted something to do with the sea and enjoy the camaraderie of being a crew member that comes with it so I became a volunteer with the RNLI and have enjoyed every moment.’
‘The time has literally flown since I started volunteering to save lives at sea with the charity and looking back during my time here one of the most memorable moments was when I was part of the lifeboat crew who won a ‘Pride of Britain Award’ for rescuing a person who was trapped in rocks at Seaton Carew as the tide was coming in’.
‘Iv'e been involved in numerous rescues over the years but it’s a great feeling of satisfaction and pride when along with your crew mates you can help someone in trouble at sea'.
'But just as important is the fact that I could not be a volunteer without the valuable support of my wife Denise and daughters Emily and Rhianna who have seen me suddenly disappear to the lifeboat station countless times during the day and night over the years when my pager goes off’.
Hartlepool RNLI Coxswain Robbie Maiden said ‘Darren’s commitment with the RNLI at Hartlepool has been fantastic’.
‘The many roles he carries out at the station he does with pride, professionalism and integrity and is a tremendously helpful crew member who is also a great mentor to the new volunteers who join us.’
For more information please contact Tom Collins, Volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on: 01429 266103
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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