20 year long service awards for Southwold RNLI volunteer crew
In celebration of two decades of voluntary service to the RNLI, Southwold Lifeboat Helms Harry Cooper and Sam Doy have been awarded their 20 year service medals. The presentation was made by Southwold Town Mayor Simon Flunder just before the town’s Remembrance Day parade on Sunday 12 November.
Lifelong friends Harry and Sam joined the crew weeks apart as soon as they turned 17, following long family connections with the Southwold RNLI. They have both progressed to become Helms of the Atlantic 85 Lifeboat Annie Tranmer and are key members of the operations team at the station. Harry is also the station Mechanic.
Sam commented: 'I’m incredibly proud to have served the coastline of Suffolk with the Southwold RNLI for 20 years, following in the footsteps of both my father and grandfather.
'I have gained a lot of knowledge during this time, which I now share with new crew members.
'I’m honoured to be a part of the RNLI and look forward to continuing my family’s longstanding association.'
Harry added: 'It is a privilege to be part of the crew at Southwold lifeboat, all of whom are willing to stop whatever they are doing to help those in trouble at sea. I have learnt so many valuable skills and made lots of great friends along the way.'
Southwold RNLI training Co-ordinator and fellow helm Simon Callaghan said: 'Sam and Harry have both shown immense commitment and unwavering support for Southwold lifeboat. As helms they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to rescues and training the next generation of lifeboat crew. They stand as a credit to both the RNLI and our local community. I wish them continued success for another 20 years.'
Southwold RNLI currently has several volunteering positions open, both operational and non operational. Details are as follows:
Operational roles
Inshore lifeboat crew – crewing the Atlantic 85 lifeboat on service and exercise.
Shore Crew – assisting with the safe launch and recovery of the lifeboats on service and exercise.
Deputy Launching Authority – authorising launch of the lifeboat and ensuring that all operational activities are carried out to maintain the lifeboats and all associated equipment in a constant state of readiness for launching on service.
Non-operational roles:
Southwold and Dunwich Fundraising Branch are looking for more members of the fundraising committee to help increase fundraising revenue.
Shop Volunteer – the Southwold RNLI shop is recruiting for a new shop volunteer, more details and application are available via the RNLI website,
https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/shop-volunteer-southwold-537341.html
For more information on any of the positions detailed above please email the station: [email protected]
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Jez Taylor, Southwold RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
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.