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Dunbar RNLI says thank you to our One Crew Volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

Dunbar RNLI’s wider lifeboat family came together on Friday night (June 16) as special presentations were made to long serving volunteer fundraisers, shop workers, committee members and crew.

The ILB crew, (L-R) Duncan Binnie, Chris Woods, Alan Blair and Douglas Wight, receive their commendations.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

The ILB crew, (L-R) Duncan Binnie, Chris Woods, Alan Blair and Douglas Wight, receive their commendations.

Commendations were also presented to four inshore lifeboat crew members who faced a particularly challenging service call last September, when the ILB capsized in heavy swell while they searched for a missing swimmer.

Mark Lees, Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, said the event – held at the town’s Royal British Legion – was about expressing appreciation to the remarkable service volunteers from all walks of life had made to the Dunbar community.

He said: “Whilst the crew are the people who go into the dangerous situations, and rightly receive the publicity and praise for doing so, they are all very aware of the huge amount of work that the wider station team do to support them in that endeavour.

“Without the help and support of all the volunteers: shop staff, the fundraising committee and the Lifeboat Management Group, there would be no lifeboat at Dunbar.

“Along with the community, who remain our staunchest of supporters, coxswain Gary Fairbairn and the crew would like to thank each and every one of you for your continued service, support and dedication.”

Fundraising chair Veronica Davies added: “It was a fabulous evening having our ‘One Crew’ together to celebrate all of the effort, time and hard work that our volunteers give selflessly and freely to Dunbar RNLI.”

Special awards were presented to Rod Primrose, who has retired from the Lifeboat Management Group after serving for 25 years, Dave Anderson, who has left his role as Lifeboat Operations Manager and to Gipper Ainslie, who will soon be departing as full-time station mechanic after ten years.

Receiving special gifts of flowers were Sheon Cairns and Moira Porter who last year stepped down from the Fundraising Committee after 26 and 25 years’ service respectively.

Also receiving awards for voluntary service to the Fundraising Committee were Fiona Fleming (24 years), Ken Headley (15 years), Martha Windram (13 years), Liz Hutton (11 years), Val Foster (3 years) and Diane Fairgrieve (2 years – not present).

Receiving awards for voluntary service to the shop were Ken and Marie Headley and Pamela Denholm (17 years), Patricia Wilson (13 years), Margaret Brown (11 years), Liz Hutton (8 years), Rose Burchell (3 years) and Carol Hamilton (one year).

In the commendations to volunteer lifeboat crew members Alan Blair, Chris Woods, Duncan Binnie and Douglas Wight, Director of Lifesaving Operations John Payne expressed sincere thanks for their dedication and service to Dunbar Lifeboat Station on behalf of the RNLI.

The crew were recognised for their actions during a service on 18 September 2022, when the D-class lifeboat David Lauder was launched to search for a missing swimmer in the vicinity of Tyninghame Beach.

In the commendation, Mr Payne wrote: “In challenging surf conditions, the crew were initially unable to locate the casualty and so a crew member was landed ashore to support. The lifeboat then came close inshore for a second search and capsized, placing the crew in the water.

“Despite the capsize, a crew member waded into the surf line and located the casualty. The lifeboat was then righted and recovered safely to station. This service was incredibly demanding, and you demonstrated courage and initiative throughout. Your ongoing determination and commitment to saving lives at sea is greatly appreciated.”

Also recognised but not able to attend were shop volunteers Maureen Watt (19 years), Margaret Headley and Jean Rae (15 years), Sue Barnott (14 years), Shona McManus (13 years), Sally Drysdale (12 years), Liz Brown and Linda Baines (10 years), Wendy Badger, Liz Thomson and Susan Davidson (9 years), Joan Halpin (8 years), Alison Mitchell (7 years), George Andrew Elliot, Lois Antoinette d'Esterre and Severine Jeanne Lemoine-McGinnes (6 years), John Baines, Pauline Douglas and Emma Barnott (5 years), Janet Kearsley, Hazel Budge, Norma Kinnear, Alison Wilson, Jenny McLaren, Heather Amabilino and Susan McGarrigle (2 years), and Wendy Lorimer, Diane Fairgrieve, Susan McGilvray and Patricia Brady (one year).

Notes to editors

Photos available

RNLI media contacts

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Sheon Cairns (L) receives her gift for 26 years' service on the Fundraising Committee (FRC) from committee chair Veronica Davies.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Sheon Cairns (L) receives her gift for 26 years' service on the Fundraising Committee (FRC) from committee chair Veronica Davies.
Moira Porter (L) receives her gift after 25 years' service on the Fundraising Committee (FRC) from committee chair Veronica Davies.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Moira Porter (L) receives her gift after 25 years' service on the Fundraising Committee (FRC) from committee chair Veronica Davies.
Rod Primrose (R) receives his gift after 25 years' service on the Lifeboat Management Group (LMG) from LMG committee chair Mark Lees.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Rod Primrose (R) receives his gift after 25 years' service on the Lifeboat Management Group (LMG) from LMG committee chair Mark Lees.
Dave Anderson (R) receives his gift from LMG chair Mark Lees after leaving his role as Lifeboat Operations Manager and achieving 25 years' service in a number of roles.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Dave Anderson (R) receives his gift from LMG chair Mark Lees after leaving his role as Lifeboat Operations Manager and achieving 25 years' service in a number of roles.
Gipper Ainslie (R) receives his gift from LMG chair Mark Lees after ten years' service with the LMG.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Gipper Ainslie (R) receives his gift from LMG chair Mark Lees after ten years' service with the LMG.

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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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.