Porthcawl RNLI sadness following the news of the passing of former chair
Porthcawl RNLI are mourning the loss of former chair of Porthcawl RNLI committee, John Abraham and the station flag currently flies at half mast. John was chair of both the operational and fundraising committees, volunteering for the charity for 20 years, retiring in February 2018.
During his time as chair, it is estimated that over half a million pounds was raised locally for the charity. The lifeboat launched over one thousand times and saved numerous lives. John was supported throughout by his wife Marj who in her own right raised seventy thousand pounds selling tickets for quilts she would raffle each summer season.
John’s first contact with Porthcawl lifeboat was through his father, one of the original 12 volunteers who formed the elected station committee in 1965, when a lifeboat station was re-established in the town. When retirement as a deputy head teacher brought John and his wife Marj back to live in Porthcawl he was invited to join the fundraising committee, becoming chair and later going on to also become station chair.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Philip Missen MBE said:
‘John was a great supporter of our station and was very proud of our volunteer crew. He dedicated many hours to the charity in so many varied ways. He was a friend to us all and respected by all our volunteers. All at Porthcawl RNLI send our sincere condolences to John’s wife Marj and his family.'
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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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.