RNLI Cromer Evening presents awards for many years’ service

The recipients of the RNLI awards were (in alphabetical order):

Adrian Barker

Steve Barrett – unable to attend

Robert Cadman – unable to attend

Billy Gaff

Richard Leeds – unable to attend

Paul Russell – unable to attend

David Syer

Rose Syer

Adrian Woods

In recognition of this incredible commitment to helping save lives at sea, long-service certificates have been presented to 9 volunteers whose service totalled 147 years.

Derek Hinds Chairman RNLI Cromer said, ‘Each merited their awards after giving our station so many years of dedication and it was right that we and the charity could thank them in this way'

During the evening, a special award was made to Tony and Peggy Webster in recognition of over 40 years volunteering for the RNLI. Tony has been chairman of Cromer RNLI for over 36 years and President for the past 4 years. During this tenure, his wife Peggy has supported Tony and has also been active in the Cromer Ladies Guild fundraising branch and has been Chair of the Guild and is now Vice President.

During this time Tony has overseen two naming ceremonies of ALBs in 1986 and 2008 plus numerous ILB ceremonies. Tony liaised with the late Peter Cadbury to achieve the return of the H F Bailey which was Henry Blogg’s lifeboat during the war years.

Apart of all of this, Tony and Peggy have since 1 January 1985 and up to 20 March 2020 have counted and banked all the money from the collecting boxes at the ALB house, the ILB house and the Henry Blogg Museum. A vital source of income for the RNLI.

John Redmond Lifeboat Operations Manager said “All our volunteers play a vital role in every launch, rescue, and life saved. Without the dedication of our boat crew, shore crew, fundraising teams, and many more besides, we wouldn't have been able to serve the community of Cromer since 1804. Even in this strangest of years, our volunteers have gone above and beyond, launching our lifeboats and it's wonderful to see this commitment recognised for these dedicated individuals. Thank you to all of them on behalf of all of us at Cromer lifeboat station”.

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 142,700 lives.

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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.