
Generous legacy donation boosts St Davids RNLI lifesaving fund
A lifelong RNLI supporter and fundraiser who enjoyed visits to Pembrokeshire has made a generous donation of £10,000 to St Davids RNLI lifeboat station following his recent death.
John Broadhurst of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire joined the Aylesbury fundraising branch in 1974, volunteering as a committee member and secretary for almost 40 years. In 2013 he was awarded a gold badge for his dedicated support of the charity through his service and fundraising support.
The large contribution will go towards lifeboat station running costs, including essential lifesaving kit and training. The family have also made a donation to the RNLI ‘launch a memory’ all-weather lifeboat to be based at Exmouth.
The Broadhurst family started visiting Pembrokeshire in 1972 when family members moved to the area.
Jo Lynch, John’s daughter, said: ‘Visits to lifeboat stations were always an inherent part of our holidays, and St Davids was always part of that. Dad was a keen sea fisherman, and used to fish regularly from Newgale, Solva and Whitesands. In the early 80's, mum and dad bought a touring caravan and we used to stay all around the local coast, including at the caravan club site at Lleithyr Meadow near Whitesands on a regular basis. St Davids has always been a favourite part of the county and we continue to holiday in the area.’
Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, said: ‘On behalf of all the crew and members of St Davids lifeboat station I’d like to extend our sincere heartfelt thanks to John and his family for this very generous donation. Knowing John devoted so much time to our charity over many years, and he chose St Davids to benefit from this legacy, is humbling and greatly appreciated. This donation will enable us to continue delivering a lifesaving capability from our lifeboat station.’
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For more information please telephone Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 804 922 or [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 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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