
Two Looe fundraising volunteers receive RNLI Long Service Awards
Two of Looe RNLI’s dedicated fundraising volunteers were presented with RNLI long service awards this month in recognition of their service to the charity that saves lives at sea
As a fully independent charity organisation, the RNLI relies on donations to fund its life saving work. Looe lifeboat crew are on call 24/7. To carry out their mission of saving lives at sea, they require well maintained equipment, lifeboats, shore equipment and ongoing training. None of this would be possible without the dedication, commitment and drive of our local fundraisers who have each dedicated many years to supporting their local coastal community.
On Saturday 24 August 2024, during a busy book sale outside the Albatross boathouse, Looe RNLI’s president John Trethewey surprised two of our long service fundraising volunteers, presenting Marilyn Berry and Ann Watson with their RNLI long service awards.
Marilyn first volunteered as a fundraiser for Looe RNLI back in 1993, the first full year of operation after the inshore lifeboat station was re-established. Marilyn remembers that the D Class was housed in the shelter and a portacabin on the seafront, so the fundraisers met at the Toc-H hall on the Millpool. They had to wait until 1998 for a purpose built souvenir shop to be opened on Middleton’s corner. Before then, Marilyn recalls the fundraising branch made use of empty shops over the winter periods to sell Christmas cards and calendars. Whilst Marilyn has recently stepped down as branch secretary after 27 years in the role she continued to be the main organiser of this year’s summer concert programme.
Ann has been an active member of Looe’s fundraising branch for over 23 years, alongside her late husband Laurie. Ann has twice been our fundraising branch chair and in each tenure she was the driving force behind both of our successful lifeboat appeals which bought the Ollie Naismith and Ollie Naismith II D Class inshore lifeboats to Looe. Ann is also a member of Looe Boat Owners Association who have been raising valuable funds over several years for Looe RNLI by organising the town’s annual raft race.
Presenting Marilyn with her 30 year RNLI badge and Ann her 20 year RNLI medal, John Trethewey praised Marilyn and Ann for their dedication to the RNLI and Looe Lifeboat Station. He thanked them for their commitment and amazing fundraising successes. Along with their long service awards, he presented Marilyn and Ann with presents and flowers, as a token of the station’s appreciation for their incredible achievements over many years
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Photos:
· John Trethewey presenting RNLI long service awards to Marilyn Berry (L) and Ann Watson (R)
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster
Information:
· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II
· RNLI Long Service Awards recognise the dedication and commitment of our long serving volunteers. All registered volunteers are eligible with awards starting at 20 years plus in 10 years increments. The awards take the form of a medal (and clasp from 30 years onwards) or badge
· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/looe-lifeboat-station· Looe RNLI Facebook page
www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI
· In 2024, the RNLI will be celebrating 200 years - and counting, commemorating this remarkable past, celebrating our lifesaving achievements today, and inspiring a future where we can save every one. More information on RNLI 200 can be found at https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024
Media contacts
For more information please telephone
Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]
or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]
or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]
Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789Key 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.