Tobermory RNLI devastated by loss of long serving volunteer
Tobermory RNLI is sad to announce that Anne ‘Cookie’ Flavell, who served as a Deputy Launching Authority (DLA) and Lifeboat Treasurer for 21 years, passed away suddenly on Sunday 10th March, aged just 65.
Cookie, who ran the local chandlery in Tobermory, joined the RNLI in February 1998 as a Deputy Launching Authority (DLA), responsible for authorising the launch of the lifeboat in response to taskings from HM Coastguard. This role required her to carry a pager and to respond to call outs, day and night. After fifteen years in this demanding operational role, Cookie took over an equally busy volunteer post as Lifeboat Treasurer at the station in 2013.
As Lifeboat Treasurer, Cookie worked tirelessly behind the scenes, devoting hours every week to managing the station’s finances. A modest and unassuming individual, Cookie played a key role at the station and was a much loved member of the lifeboat ‘family’. Her hard work and dedication were recognised last year with the award of the RNLI’s Gold Badge, one of the highest accolades the charity awards to its volunteers. Cookie had previously been awarded the RNLI’s Silver Badge in acknowledgement of her service as a DLA in 2010.
Tobermory RNLI Coxswain David McHaffie said: ‘Cookie will leave a huge gap at the station. She carried out her volunteer roles without any fuss whatsoever and her hard work, particularly during her recent illness, has been an inspiration to everyone at Tobermory RNLI. She will remembered not only for her dedication as an RNLI volunteer but also for her sense of fun and mischief, especially at station parties. Cookie will be much missed by all of us.’
Cookie’s family would like to thank everyone for their support and kind wishes. There will be a celebration of Cookie’s life at the Western Isles Hotel on Saturday 23rdMarch (time to be confirmed). Loud shirts and silly hats may be worn.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact
Dr Sam Jones, Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07747601900 or [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, Regional Media Officer (Scotland), 07920 365929 or [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, Regional Media Manager (Scotland), 07826 900639 or [email protected]
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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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