Long service celebration for Mudeford RNLI at Hampton Court
Earlier this year nineteen of Mudeford's RNLI volunteer crew were invited to Hampton Court Palace to recognise and celebrate their significant number of years’ service.
Although not all were able to attend, those that did said that they really appreciated being invited to such a lovely event. Approximately 180 long-standing volunteers from across the South East enjoyed a sunny afternoon at the Palace in London. Mark Dowie, the CEO, thanked all of the long-standing volunteers, commenting on the fact that, without them, in every single one of their roles, the RNLI could not provide the 24/7, 365 days per year service that it does.
Sally Derham-Wilkes, a member of the Mudeford fundraising crew, explained, ‘I started as a volunteer when I was teenager, helping with jumble sales, to raise funds for the Mudeford ‘station’, which was a boat kept outside on the Quay. When we finally had a building to house the lifeboat, I helped my father, Peter Derham, paint the building blue. The lifeboat has always been a family affair for me, with my husband and two sons all being part of the ‘one crew’.
Sally went onto say, ‘It was a fabulous day and it was so lovely to be invited to be thanked for what we have done.’ Sally is a relation of Ken Derham, the founder of the Mudeford lifeboat.
Kevin Dingley, who has actually served 48 years and is currently the treasurer for the Mudeford RNLI, commented, ‘It was a really special afternoon and we felt privileged to be invited. It was nice that partners were able to join us as their support for our volunteering roles is invaluable.’
Thank you to all of the volunteers listed below for their many years of commitment and service to the Mudeford RNLI. It is only with your help and contribution that we are able to save lives at sea.
RNLI Media contacts:
· Louise Adams, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Mudeford RNLI.
· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.