
WW Martin makes RNLI Margate its nominated charity for 2023
Margate RNLI lifeboat station is set to receive a boost from Thanet-based construction company WW Martin Ltd, who has made the life-saving team its nominated charity of the year for 2023.
WW Martin was founded in1877 just seventeen years after the RNLI first stationed a lifeboat at Margate, and the construction company has a long and proud record of supporting local good causes. Choosing the lifeboat station as it’s charity will provide a welcome boost towards the volunteers’ work of saving lives at sea along Thanet’s coastline. This comes after the two lifeboats at Margate, along with RNLI Lifeguards who patrol Thanet’s beaches, experienced one of their busiest years in recent times during 2022.
There is a connection between the company and the RNLI locally in that Derek Amas, Senior Site Manager with WW Martin, has been part of the lifeboat team at Margate for over 30 years. He holds the position of volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, responsible for the running of the station which currently has 33 volunteer crewmembers and officials ensuring the station is ready to respond to emergencies at sea 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In announcing the news, Ian Posnett, Director of WW Martin, said: “From speaking with our Senior Site Manager, Derek Amas, who is also the Operations Manager for RNLI Margate lifeboat station and who has spent over 30 years as a RNLI volunteer, we know the passion and commitment the team at Margate have for the work they undertake day in day out.
“With the RNLI undertaking such vital services, their dedication and work is admirable, and this is why we have chosen them as our nominated charity for 2023. We are proud to be working with them this year and look forward to raising funds to support the RNLI Lifeboat Station, Margate.”
Derek Amas, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Margate RNLI said: “I could not be happier or any more grateful. The RNLI has been a huge part of my life for 30 years now and the support we receive from the local business community is fantastic. It helps us all at RNLI Margate, both volunteer crew and fundraisers, to continue with our work to save lives at sea.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station
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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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