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Kind donations help lifesaving work of Hunstanton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Hunstanton RNLI would not be able to operate its lifeboat and rescue hovercraft without the kindness of those who donate towards its lifesaving work.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Front (from left) Peter Irons and Mark Gaskins from the Martin Folkes Freemasons Lodge present a cheque for £650 to Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat operations manager Rigil Kent
On Sunday 7 April, members of the volunteer crew were on hand to meet supporters bringing donations to the station.

The Freemasons' Martin Folkes No 6622 Lodge, which meets at nearby Heacham, presented a cheque for £650 to Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) Rigil Kent.

Mark Gaskins, Master of the 58-strong lodge, said: 'I lost a good friend who was a kitesurfer a while ago, so this was my chosen charity for my year of office. They do a sterling job.'

Rachael Lincoln, from Ingoldisthorpe, presented the crew with £300 in memory of her step-father Albert French, who passed away at the age of 87 on 4 March.

She said his widow, Linda, was a staunch supporter of the RNLI, while her uncle Raymond Athow was a member of the Hunstanton crew 20 years ago.

'My mum's lived in Hunstanton, she's lived along the coast and she's always supported the RNLI,' she added. 'She wanted any donations that came in from the funeral to go to the RNLI.'

Dorothy Roughton from King's Lynn brought a £100 donation in memory of her son-in-law Alan Newman, who lost his battle against a brain tumour at the age of 62, on 17 January.

Mrs Roughton said 'Al', as he was known, had never given up and continued skiing, cycling and supporting the Harlequins rugby team throughout his illness.

LOM Rigil said the work of Hunstanton RNLI would not be possible without those who support the charity that saves lives at sea.

Notes to editor

Hunstanton is one of the busiest RNLI stations in Norfolk. A lifeboat service was first founded in the town in 1824 - the year in which the RNLI was formed.

Today it operates both a fast inshore lifeboat and a search and rescue hovercraft from its station on Sea Lane.

Like more than 200 stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, Its crew's lifesaving work is funded entirely by donations and legacies.

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

Rachael Lincoln presents a cheque for £300 to lifeboat operations manager Rigil Kent and crew members at Hunstanton RNLI

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Dorothy Roughton presents a cheque for £100 to the crew at Hunstanton RNLI

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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