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Littlestone RNLI next generation passes out

Lifeboats News Release

Over 50 years of the Leigh family volunteering at Littlestone RNLI continued this week as Helm Peter Leigh congratulated shore crew volunteer son Samuel Leigh on passing out.

RNLI/Clinton Marshall

Samuel Leigh with dad Peter
Samuel Leigh joined Littlestone RNLI in autumn last year, following in the footsteps of his father Peter and grandfather Pat. Pat joined Littlestone RNLI in 1967 and Peter joined in 1989, volunteering together for two years.

This Friday Samuel completed his last assessment for his comprehensive training as a shore crew volunteer. Shore crew ensure the safe launch and recovery during operations on land and form a key part of the One Crew required to enable lifeboats to be launched to save lives at sea.

Samuel completed his study History, Maths and Physics at a local Secondary school this year and will be going on to study at a university in London. He'll be back volunteering for Littlestone RNLI during holiday periods.

Samuel said: ‘It’s become a real family tradition to volunteer for the RNLI, and I am so pleased to be continuing it – it’s very rewarding to know that I am helping to save lives at sea.’

Samuel’s father, Peter Leigh, began volunteering with the Littlestone-on-Sea crew over thirty years ago, and is now Helm of the station’s B-class inshore lifeboat, the Jean McIvor. Peter volunteered alongside his own father Pat, who had himself joined the crew in the 1960s.

Peter said: ‘I am so proud of Samuel – it’s amazing to know he’ll be carrying on our family tradition and will be there to help to launch the lifeboat when the call for help comes. I have such strong memories of volunteering with my own father so it’s wonderful to now be welcoming my son onto the crew.’

Pat added ‘I’m so proud of my son and grandson following on in my footsteps as RNLI volunteer crew members. There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe to their families. But as volunteer lifeboat crew we couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public which fund the kit, training and equipment we need to save others and get home safely to our own families.’


RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Clinton Marshall, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlestone Lifeboat Station

on 07758 616581 or [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead (London/East/South East)

on 07827 58256 or [email protected]

Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 or [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 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 142,200 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 142,700 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.

RNLI/Samuel Leigh

Three generations of Leigh family

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, 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.