Newcastle RNLI pays tribute to long-serving lifeboat volunteer on his passing
Newcastle RNLI have paid tribute to a former lifeboat volunteer who passed away this week.
Huge Patrick Paul MBE joined the RNLI in 1947 before retiring in 2012, after sixty-five year of life-saving service to the charity.
Hugh started his service to the RNLI as Shore Crew, ensuring the safe and effective launch of the lifeboats before becoming a volunteer crewmember on the All-Weather Lifeboat. He also held the roles of Bowman, Emergency Mechanic and Head Launcher before becoming the Boathouse Manager for the Newcastle station. This honourary position made him a father figure at the station and he was much admired and respected.
A highlight of Hugh’s service to the RNLI was the awarding of an MBE to him in 2006 for his work with the charity.
Commetning on his passing, Newcastle RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Lisa Ramsden said, ‘ All of us in Newcastle RNLI, past and present, wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Hugh’s family. He is an important and proud part of our station’s history. He generously shared his time and knowledge with the RNLI and was a wonderful ambassador for the station and its work. He will be greatly missed and our station is richer for the time he spent with us. To give sixty-five years of a life to a charity is an incredible and worthy achievement and he will be remembered with great affection.’
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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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