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Redcar RNLI receive the Paul Harris Fellowship award

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday 4 December 2022 Redcar RNLI played host to Dave Atkinson, President of the Rotary Club of Redcar.

RNLI/Andrew Watson

Rotary Club of Redcar present Redcar RNLI crew with award

Dave and other members of the Rotary Club were visiting to award the Paul Harris Fellowship, in person, to all those that help to make Redcar RNLI a vital part of the local community.

The Paul Harris Fellowship is a prestigious award given to both Rotarians and non-Rotarians and was established in 1957. It is named after the founder of Rotary who established the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. The motto of Rotary is “Service above self” and is based on the commitment to the community in which we live.

Whilst there are many thousands of Paul Harris Fellows throughout the world, The Rotary Club of Redcar has awarded very few outside of the club itself. Notable recipients in Redcar are Vera Robinson, Norman Evans, Ann Charlton and Margaret Burniston but this is the first to be awarded to an organisation.

Dave said: 'Redcar Lifeboat Station embodies everything that the Paul Harris Fellowship stands for. Its continued and sustained provision of humanitarian aid to those in danger, both at sea or stranded by the tide, over the last 220 years is a fine example of commitment to the local community. This award is for everyone associated with the station both past and present and includes crew, all volunteers and Ladies Guild who all give service above self.'

Mike Picknett, Lifeboat Operations manager at Redcar RNLI said: 'The Rotary Club of Redcar have been long time supporters of the work Redcar RNLI do. Being the first local organisation to receive this award is a great honour and truly reflects the selfless commitment given by all our volunteers over the last 220 years. I would like to thank Dave and his fellow Rotarians for considering Redcar RNLI worthy of such a highly regarded award.'

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Andy Watson, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Redcar RNLI on 07954 435834 or email [email protected]

RNLI/Andrew Watson

Dave Atkinson presents Mike Picknett with the Fellowship award

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.

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