Three RNLI Volunteers Give 118 Years of Support
Three fundraising volunteers from Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station retired from the charity on 1 October, having given a total of 118 years.
John Holden, past chair of Teddington and Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat stations was saved from drowning by the charity when he was fourteen; two years later, in 1959, he began volunteering. Jill Goddard began her fundraising role in 1987 and Diane Hall, in 2005. Jill also generously sponsors the fuel requirements of the two lifeboats and tractor at the station.
All three came to Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station, accompanied by friends and family, to receive thanks from today’s crew members as well as other long-serving volunteers. They all spoke of the friendships formed and their own stories of funny and rewarding experiences.
Over the past ten years the fundraising team has raised £260,852; every penny of that impressive total going to the running and upkeep of the station and its boats.
Tim Ody, President of Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station said, ‘These three volunteers are true heroes. Their experience and dedication have benefitted all of us and we thank them for every rainy afternoon, shake of the bucket, committee meetings and community event. The donations that they have gathered mean that the RNLI can fulfil its role in saving lives.’
Photo: Left to Right: Matt Allchurch, Lifeboat Operations Manager; John Holden, Retiree; Kate Morgan, Volunteer Crew Member; Diane Hall, Retiree; Jill Goddard, Retiree; Tim Ody, Teddington RNLI President; Amy Francis, Fundraising Manager
For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.
Media contacts
For further information contact Gianna Saccomani, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07798905515 or [email protected] or Grace Palmieri, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07855487508 or [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 more than 146,000 lives.
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, X, TikTok 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.