
Looe RNLI volunteers place commemorative wreath onboard GWR Poppies train
Looe RNLI volunteers Sue Bungey and Marilyn Berry joined RNLI staff and volunteers from across the south west, south Wales and the south east, commemorating the nation’s fallen heroes, by placing Looe RNLI’s commemorative wreath on board the early-Monday morning service at Liskeard Railway Station
Now in its fifth year, the Poppies to Paddington operation will feature 10 GWR trains carrying hundreds of wreaths from RNLI communities. Sue Bungey, Looe RNLI’s volunteer shop manager with shop volunteer Marilyn Berry joined RNLI volunteers across the GWR network placing commemorative wreaths onboard early-morning services on Monday 11 November, at 90 stations along the route. On arrival in London, the wreaths will be laid at Paddington station’s war memorial on Platform 1 ahead of a special service of remembrance.
Earlier this morning, Sue and Marilyn waited on Platform 2 at Liskeard Station for the arrival of the 06.20 service to London Paddington. Onboard were volunteers from the RNLI’s Cornish lifeboat stations who joined the train on its journey eastwards from Penzance. On the platform Sue and Marilyn handed Looe RNLI’s wreath over to GWR train staff Chris and Nick. Simon Hannaford, RNLI Water Safety volunteer, who along with RNLI military veterans Simon Jeffery, Coxswain at Plymouth RNLI and Tony Rendle, mechanic at Penlee RNLI, and other volunteers will accompany the wreaths on their journey to Paddington and attend the service on Paddington.
Sue and Marilyn were joined on the platform by Christina Whitty, Liskeard’s Mayor, who handed Liskeard Town Council’s wreath into the care of the GWR train staff.
Looe’s commemorative wreath was knitted by Sue who participated in the recent knitathon at Cornubia in Par, organised by RNLI Education and Water Safety volunteer Gaynor Williams. Sue knitted enough poppies to make a large wreath, which she assembled with the help of her assistant shop manager Trish Calloway. Unfortunately, Trish was unable to accompany Sue to meet the train at Liskeard earlier this morning.
GWR Operations Director, Richard Rowland, said: ‘Poppies to Paddington will involve 10 train services covering the length and breadth of the Great Western network, including the use of our Night Riviera sleeper service from Penzance for the first time, and it promises to be another poignant occasion at London Paddington.’ The RNLI’s partnership with GWR was launched this year as part of the charity’s 200th anniversary and was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative RNLI 200 livery on a GWR train in May.
The RNLI’s participation holds special significance as its connection to the armed forces and acts of bravery during wartime are woven into the charity’s history. Lifeboat crews continued to save lives throughout both World Wars, and many of today’s volunteers and staff are either current or ex-service personnel.
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Notes to editors
Photos:
· Looe RNLI shop volunteers Trish Calloway and Sue Bungey with their handmade commemorative wreath at Looe Lifeboat Station
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster
· Looe RNLI’s hand knitted commemorative wreath at Looe Lifeboat Station
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster
· Sue Bungey and Marilyn Berry waiting on platform 2 Liskeard railway station for the arrival to the 06.20 service to London Paddington
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster
· Sue Bungey, Marilyn Berry and Liskeard Mayor Christina Whitty waiting on platform 2 Liskeard railway station for the arrival to the 06.20 service to London Paddington
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster
· Sue Bungey, Marilyn Berry and Liskeard Mayor Christina Whitty handing the wreaths into the care of GWR train staff Chris and Nick
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster
· Sue Bungey, and Liskeard Mayor Christina Whitty paying their respects to the fallen with GWR train staff Chris and Nick
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster
Information:
· For background information on the RNLI’s involvement with this year’s GWR Poppies to Paddington operation please refer to news release
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/november/07/military-veteran-rnli-volunteers-to-take-part-in-paddington-remembrance-service
· 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
· 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.