
Newly qualified helm Cammy celebrates fifth Christmas on call
RNLI volunteer, Cammy Tough, will be celebrating Christmas this year while being on-call as a newly qualified helm at Arbroath RNLI Lifeboat Station.
On Wednesday 11 December, Cammy Tough, qualified as a helm on the D-class inshore lifeboat at Arbroath RNLI Lifeboat Station.
Over the last 12 months, Cammy has been going through intensive training focused on command skills and finessing the boat handling skills required to be a qualified helm, and has been put through a variety of scenarios to prepare him for the final pass out.
The volunteer role of helm is to take charge of the boat, crew and make sound decisions when the pressure is on.
Since joining Arbroath RNLI in 2019, Cammy has undertaken 64 service calls, and spent over 250 hours at sea.
Cammy says: ‘It has been a privilege to serve the Arbroath community as both shore and boat crew for the last 5 years, and I’m excited to continue this in my new position as D-class helm. I’d like to say a massive thank you to all the volunteer crew at Arbroath RNLI Lifeboat Station, the RNLI trainer assessors, flanking stations and everyone inbetween. I couldn’t have got here without you all.
‘I originally joined the RNLI in 2019 as I love helping people, especially in their time of need. This is why I also trained as a personal trainer before joining the fire service. I wanted to give back to the community and for me, the RNLI fitted the goal of helping people. It’s the best decision I have ever made.’
As the charity comes to the end of its 200th milestone year, the charity is launching its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, with a focus on the volunteer lifeboat crew members who are spending Christmas on-call.
Cammy adds: ‘This will be my fifth year on call over Christmas, but my first as a qualified helm. RNLI volunteers are on call 365 days a year, which includes Christmas day. Whenever the call for help comes in, we will drop everything to answer.’
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to sacrifice time with their families and battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
Notes to editors
*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 December – 1 January inclusive
· Arbroath RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1803. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/arbroath-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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