Family connection to Dungeness RNLI sparks generous donation to the charity
On Friday 20 August, Dungeness RNLI station was visited by Claire Hitchcock, an RNLI Face-to-Face volunteer and avid supporter of the RNLI, with a particular affection for Dungeness station.
Claire visited the station on Friday along with her colleague Olivia Whittle, Senior Face-to-Face Fundraiser, where she was greeted by Lifeboat Operations Manager, Roger Gillett and Coxswain Stuart Adams.
Claire’s connection to the RNLI is a longstanding one, with her mother and aunt being relatives of the Tart family and growing up in the nearby town of Lydd. The Tarts were, and still are, a local Dungeness fishing family who have provided many Coxswains and crew to the station for decades.
One member of Claire’s family, Frank Tart, had created a model of one of Dungeness’ earlier lifeboats, the Charles Cooper Henderson which Claire brought to the station to show the existing crew.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Roger Gillett, says: ‘It was a pleasure to meet Claire today for her special visit. Dungeness Lifeboat Station has a rich history and the Tart family paid a key part in it. We were particularly grateful that she took the time to bring the model boat for us to admire. We gratefully accept Claire’s donation to our station which will be used to continue our lifesaving work.’
Notes to editors
· Dungeness lifeboat station has been operating since 1826. Information on the Charles Cooper Henderson and much more can be found at www.dungenesslifeboat.org.uk
· Dungeness’ Shannon-class lifeboat was the first Shannon lifeboat in the fleet and came to station in 2014.
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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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