A busy May on and off the water for the volunteers of Harwich RNLI
A busy May on and off the water for the volunteers of Harwich RNLI
Lifeboats News Release
With 12 call outs and numerous events off the water, including a visit from the RNLI’s Chief Executive Mark Dowie, the volunteers at Harwich RNLI have experienced one of their busiest May's in many years.
The call outs saw the volunteers responding to vessels adrift in the heart of Ipswich. Incidents have included reports of missing people, windsurfers and swimmers in distress, vessels adrift, and aground, finally ending on the 31 May with a report of people cut off by the tide at the Naze. The number and variety of services in May has tested the skills and dedication of the volunteers.
Off the water has been just as busy for the volunteers, starting with Ann Brand celebrating 20 years as volunteer shop manager on 4 May. The viewing area inside the station also reopened to the public for the first time since Covid restrictions were lifted, sporting two new ‘Tap to Donate’ units, one inside and one outside.
The fundraising team held their monthly coffee morning at the Harwich Town Sailing Club (next one 10 June), and held a ‘Mayday Mile’ fundraiser. They have also been busy preparing for this Sunday’s (5 June) Jubilee Garden Party at 19 Marine Parade which everyone is invited to.
On 25 May, RNLI Chief Executive Mark Dowie visited the lifeboat station where he was given a tour of facilities, and spent an hour talking with volunteers, gaining first hand insight to the sometimes unique challenges faced by the Harwich volunteers.
Harwich RNLI Lifeboat Operations Peter Bull praised the dedication of the volunteers, saying: 'What a great month it’s been. It seems that we are finally getting back to normal after over two years of restrictions, with events taking place, station visits restarting and a visit from Mark Dowie, our Chief Executive. 'Mark was inspired by meeting Ann Brand who has spent 47 years now volunteering for Harwich RNLI, and has promised to come personally to present her with her 50 year medal. He was amazed to hear the stories from all our volunteers, and, like me, is amazed and thankful that the all our volunteers have returned after lockdown.
'May has been our busiest month for the last seven years, and I am astounded and thankful for all our volunteers, and families, who give up their time and are so dedicated to risking their lives in the act of helping others. June looks like it will be a busy month for our fundraising volunteers with events taking place for the Queens Jubilee celebrations, culminating with a jubilee garden party at one of our volunteers private home, 19 Marine Parade, on Sunday 5 June, plus we have the ‘Festival of the Sea’, our monthly coffee morning, and so much more.'
Keep an eye on Harwick RNLI's Facebook page for all forthcoming events,
and if you’d like to join our fantastic dedicated team please contact Peter at [email protected].
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.
