Man rescued by Cromer RNLI meets crew and presents fundraising cheque
Curtis Johnson and his dog Rex were rescued on 6 July and he has thanked in person the volunteer crew who saved them.
In July, Cromer RNLI launched its D class inshore lifeboat to come to the rescue of Curtis and his dog Rex.
Curtis explains: ‘Rex Jumped over the sea wall at Cromer, into a rough high tide, which resulted in me going into the water to retrieve him. Due to the severity of the crashing waves of the North Sea and my inability to exit the water safely HM Coastguards tasked the local volunteers at Cromer RNLI to come and rescue us.'
As a thank you, Curtis swam 20 miles in a sponsored swim and raised an impressive £925 for Cromer RNLI. On Sunday 22 September the three volunteer crew who launched to come to the aid of Curtis and Rex met again and were presented with the fundraising cheque.
Cromer RNLI Helm, Kevin Johnson said: ‘It was really special for all of us to meet Curtis and Rex again, and see how well they are doing. We are so grateful to Curtis for sharing his story so we can highlight the importance of being safe by the sea. This was a very challenging situation for Curtis and Rex and oh behalf of all the volunteers at Cromer RNLI we are thankful to Curtis for his impressive fundraiser which all helps us to save lives at sea.'
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Clare Stagg, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
Key facts about Cromer RNLI
The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry.
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.