Supporter's family donation marked with plaque for display at Rhyl RNLI

Mr. John Bainbridge recently visited the station following a substantial donation in memory of his parents being given to Rhyl RNLI lifeboat station. It was agreed a plaque would be put up in the station to recognise this, and to remember his parents by.
He states - " My father, Charles Bainbridge, was born 10^th June 1934 in Staveley, Cumbria, and was quickly relocated to Farnham, Surrey by his Mother in 1936. He was conscripted into the Army aged 18 and after his training and a few other postings he found himself sent to Kinmel Military Camp. At that time the camp held regular dances which the locals attended which is how he met my mother, Agnes Bainbridge Ne Wilson.
She was born on the 18^th August 1929 living in River Bank, Bagillt, North Wales. They spent a lot of their time courting in Rhyl, later marrying on 18^th December 1954, which also became a favourite holiday destination when we all returned to Wales as a family to visit relatives.

They were married for 65 years and died within 7 weeks of each other in 2020. I then decided I wanted them to have a lasting memorial, and not to let the inheritance money just be frittered away. We had always visited RNLI stations all over the country when on days out or full holidays. I have also been a member for over 20 years so a donation to the RNLI seemed a fitting way to mark their lives and do some good at the same time. After talking to the RNLI the Rhyl station seemed to be the best station to benefit from this and following my recent visit I can say, hand on heart, they deserve all the help they get. The crew I met showed a great level of skill, professionalism and camaraderie which was brilliant to see and I am delighted to be able to help their work in a small way'.

The photo shows the plaque being shown to Mr. Bainbridge by Coxswain Martin Jones on board Rhyl All-weather Shannon lifeboat " Anthony Kenneth Heard". L-R Rhyl station manager Darrel Crowther; Paul Sandford, RNLI Philanthropy manager; Callum Robinson, Rhyl RNLI full-time mechanic; Graham (friend of John); John; and Martin Jones (Rhyl RNLI full-time Coxswain).

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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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