Excellence in Volunteering - Anne-Marie Clark - Poole Lifeboat Station
Next in our station’s volunteers to have been recommended and awarded the ‘RNLI Excellence in Volunteering’ Award by the RNLI Chairman and Council is Anne-Marie Clark.
Anne-Marie has been a key part of the Station now for over 20 years and alongside Jon Clark has been an integral member of the volunteering team for all of that time. Anne-Marie fulfils so many roles across the various parts of the Station that it is almost impossible to list them – but let’s try!
It is difficult to explain how time consuming and all-encompassing the role of Lifeboat Press Officer in a Station such as Poole can be. When you think that we launched 145 times last year then every one of those launches needs writing up for Facebook and our other social media channels and that many of these launches may give rise to radio and television interviews and coverage you start to get some idea.
When you add in the time to cover events such as our Volunteers Reception, an Open Day or any other event we are involved in within the harbour then you can probably appreciate it’s almost a full time job.
As a Station we are exceptionally proud to have someone of Anne-Marie’s calibre and commitment working alongside Dave Riley to deliver this service. Bear in mind as well that every time the pager goes Anne-Marie is alerted too not least of all as her husband of 20 years, Jon, races off to the Station.
But being a LPO is just part of it and Anne-Marie’s commitment to the Station is far reaching.
Each year the Spratt’s Supper that she arranges with Jon is a great event, she’s an active part of the Fundraising Team and gets involved through that in numerous events each year, she’s a passionate advocate of the Poole Lifeboat Museum and is a guardian of our very own Dunkirk Little Ship – the Thomas Kirk Wright.
Add in the Open Day each year and plenty of other initiatives and it’s a wonder how she manages to hold down a full time job and with Jon raise a family too – both of whom have grown up actively involved in the Station.
Anne-Marie epitomises all that is good about the RNLI, about its volunteers and Poole Lifeboat Station itself. The sacrifice individuals and families make, whether operating afloat or ashore, is what makes all of our volunteers special people and this award recognises that commitment.
A somewhat surprised Anne-Marie received her award from LOM Paul Glatzel.
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.