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Man raises money for Calshot RNLI after the station's volunteers saved his life

Lifeboats News Release

In July 2017 Micky Tooke found himself in trouble on the water after suffering a stroke while out alone on his boat. Having managed to raise the alarm to the HM Coastguard, Calshot RNLI carried out the rescue that saved Micky's life.

Photo of the original rescue of Micky Tooke

RNLI/Steve Foulkes

Photo of the original rescue of Micky Tooke
Having arrived quickly at the scene, Calshot RNLI were able to get Micky airlifted by Rescue 175 helicopter and quickly to the hospital.

Since his ordeal Micky and his partner Betty Cowley have showed their gratitude to the volunteers at Calshot RNLI Lifeboat Station by treating them all to a Chinese meal and recently raising over £128 for the station.

For the recent fundraiser the couple set up an impressive display of Christmas lights in their front garden in Lordshill, Southampton, over the 2018 Christmas period. The festive display included an inflatable Santa and snowman.

The garden was open for the public to enjoy, with a donation box for Calshot RNLI for those who wished to pop in their spare change.

Betty is no stranger to the emergency crews that attended to her partner in 2017, having worked for a restaurant in Lee-on-the-Solent Betty had delivered food to the crew of the Rescue 175 helicopter on many occasions.

The festive garden was not a first for the couple who had raised money the previous year for a cancer charity, and subsequently the couple plan for an even bigger and better light display for Christmas 2019 to raise more money for the RNLI and a dementia charity.

The money raised was greatly received by Calshot's volunteer crew, who are delighted to still be in contact with the couple.

Ends

Media Contacts

  • For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on (01202) 336789

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.


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

About the author
Laura Bean
Lifeboat Press Officer, Calshot Lifeboat Station

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.

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