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Hunstanton RNLI boathouse packed for emergency services carol service

Lifeboats News Release

There was a packed house at a Norfolk lifeboat station which hosted a special carol service for the emergency services.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

The boathouse at Hunstanton RNLI was packed for the St Mary's Church Emergency Services Carol Service
The St Mary's Church Emergency Services carol event at Hunstanton RNLI was led by the Rev Sandra Dennison.

It was attended by crew members, emergency services personnel, their families and supporters of the charity that saves lives at sea.

It began with a minute's silence to remember the eight crew members of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne, who perished on the night of 19 December, 1981, along with eight crew and family members aboard the cargo ship Union Star.

The lifeboat launched to try to rescue those aboard the Union Star, which was drifting in high winds and heavy seas after its engines failed off the south-east coast of Cornwall.

After prayers, there were carols including festive favourites Oh Come, All Ye Faithful, Away In A Manger and We Three Kings.

The evening ended with prayers for all those who go to the assistance of others, before crew members served sausage rolls, mince pies and refreshments.

Notes for editor

Hunstanton is one of the RNLI's busiest stations in Norfolk.

So far in 2023, its lifeboat and hovercraft have launched 27 times, with one life saved and 19 people aided.

The station is one of just four around the coastline of the UK and Ireland which operates a hovercraft.

Its volunteers are on call 24/7, 365 days a year - including Christmas Day.

Since Hunstanton's current station opened in 1979, its inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and her predecessors have helped save 140 lives and render assistance to more than 600 people who found themselves in difficulty or in danger.

In 2003, she was joined by the hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer, which has since then been launched 250 times, saved 13 lives and assisted a further 150 people.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North East and East) on: 07824 518641.





RNLI/Chris Bishop

The service was led by the Rev Sandra Dennison

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.

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.

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