Happisburgh RNLI mourns loss of long serving volunteer
Station sees more than one hundred years of volunteering come to an end with four crew also standing down.
It is with deep sadness that Happisburgh RNLI announced the loss of one of our longest serving volunteers.
Jack Hall had been involved with the RNLI at Happisburgh since it reopened in 1965 with one of the first D-Class lifeboats. He helped and supported the station in so many ways over the years, including fulfilling the roles of Chairman and President. He sadly passed away on the 10th March 2021 peacefully with his family around him. He will be sadly missed by the station and the RNLI for all his years of dedicated help and support.
Four volunteers are also moving on from their roles on station. Tim Gimmer joined the team at Happisburgh on 12th March 2001 as crew, then moved on to become Helm of the station’s D-class. In 2009 he passed out as Helm of the new Atlantic 75, being granted an extension to his service when he turned 55 years old. On 12th March 2021, after two decades on the crew, he stood down. Tim has been crew fundraiser and an ambassador for the RNLI. He also provided the colour party for the RNLI standard at the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Pauls Cathedral in London on the 15th October 2014. As Senior Helmsman, Tim was the standard bearer with two escorts, Cubitt Siely and Tony Phoenix, both Helmsmen at the Station.
Tim was also part of the three Peaks Challenge which took place on the 24th August 2013 together with Christian Larter, Jake Munday, Dave Cato, Will Baker, Danny Cordukes and Justin Arnold. This team left Happisburgh for the drive to Ben Nevis to start the Three Peaks Challenge which involved climbing a total height of 3,407 meters and hiking a distance of 25 miles up and down, taking 23 hours and 14 minutes to complete the challenge. The six volunteer crew raised £2,500 for the RNLI. Tim said “This marks the end of 20 years of service that has been a big part of my life; enjoyable, stressful and rewarding at the same time. I would like to thank all the people, fundraising and operational, that have supported me through two decades. The RNLI is a worthy charity to support, offering many opportunities to enrich your own life as well as giving you a chance to help others. I hope the station will go from strength to strength and I wish it well for the future”.
The station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Cubitt Siely, said “This sees the anniversary of Timmy’s completion of 20 years service to our station, at which point he decided to stand down as Helm. On behalf of myself and the station I’d like to thank Timmy and the support from his family for his valuable input, as crew , senior helm, fundraising and lifeboat days that has helped put the station where we are today. Again to thank his family for giving up so many weekends to feed a passion that becomes part of one’s life. As always Tim, our door will always be open to you.”
Jake Munday joined the crew at Happisburgh in 2009, as crew of both our boats then passed out as Helm of the D-Class then also the Atlantic. He has had to stand down from the crew due to work commitments. He was also part of the Three Peaks Challenge and also completed a skydive with Charlotte Siely. Jake said “I am sad to have to stand down but my family comes first; I will miss the camaraderie of the Station most and that I will not be there to help the community we served. If things change I will be back to Happisburgh or another RNLI station to put my skills to good use”.
Colin Fleming joined the Station in 2009, when he helped liaise between the station and contractors with the new ramp being built. Once this was completed he became one of the Deputy Launching Authorities. Colin said “It has been fantastic working with such a committed group of people who are there to help others and each other. I joined the RNLI when I finished work; it gave me a purpose in life, not only giving me something to do but being able to give back to the community in so many ways. I would encourage people to join and improve their lives and help others."
Jan Withers joined the Station as fundraising chair last year and has stood down due to a change in her circumstances. Jan was unable to do much in the past year due to Covid-19; she will be missed.
We have also had some changes among our volunteers. Mark Jarvis has now become a Deputy Launching Authority and Lifeboat Trainer Assessor for Shore Crew and Dave Lennox has joined the station as Lifeboat Training Coordinator. One new crew member and four shore crew have also been recruited.
COULD YOU VOLUNTEER FOR THE RNLI AND HELP SAVE LIVES AT SEA? The charity welcomes people from all walks of life and no previous sea-going experience is needed to join the lifeboat crew. The RNLI provides fantastic training to turn ordinary people into lifesavers. By volunteering with the RNLI people will gain some great experience, knowledge and skills.
Happisburgh RNLI are always looking for new volunteers to help run the lifesaving service. If you are aged 17 or over, physically fit, work or live within 10 minutes of the lifeboat station and eager to join a lifesaving organisation. Volunteers meet every Sunday morning at 9.00am and Tuesday evenings at 7.00pm for their weekly training exercises. There are also many other roles both operational and fundraising that will enable you to help saving lives at sea.
If you are interested in this role please contact Happisburgh Lifeboat Station on 01692 583269 and leave your details and we will get back to you or email [email protected]
Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer PHILIP SMITH
Mobile 07766007936 E-mail [email protected]
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.