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Exmouth RNLI volunteer recognised for over 60 years of service

Lifeboats News Release

Brian Cole, was rescued by the RNLI after falling off a cliff 65 years ago, aged 17, and has supported the RNLI ever since

RNLI/Maurice Chittock

Steve Hocking-Thompson, Exmouth RNLI Coxswain who presented Brian with his long service medal said:

‘Brian has been a committed and enthusiastic RNLI volunteer and fundraiser for over 60 years and richly deserves his long service medal. It is a fantastic achievement, and it has been a privilege for all of us to have him as part of our team.’

In 1959, Brian was holidaying with friends in Brixham, the last summer between leaving school and starting work, when, having climbed up a cliff, a rock gave way at the last moment, and he fell 200 feet.

A policeman came by and called RNLI Torbay. The Inshore lifeboat rescued him from the rocks at the base of the cliff. He was then transferred to the All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB), Princess Alexandra of Kent which brought him to Brixham Quay where an ambulance was waiting to rush him to hospital (with the bell ringing as this was before blue lights).

A major operation revealed that Brian had dented his skull but there was no damage to the brain. Several weeks later, he recovered sufficiently to start his new job with the civil service Ministry of Labour and National Service in Bath.

Brian Cole said:

‘I was so grateful to the RNLI that, every year after that, I collected for the RNLI at work and began to give talks about my experience and the great work of the RNLI around Bath and later around Yeovil, when I moved there’.

Brian has lived in Exmouth since 1976 with his late wife Jill who died in 1993. Brian married Beryl in 1996 and she has continued to support him in his various voluntary roles including giving talks, as the Station Admin Officer and latterly as an Exmouth RNLI Tour Guide. The only time he cut back on fundraising was when he was Exmouth Town Mayor between 2016 and 2018.

To this day, Brian is a valued member of the Visits team, giving tours of the station.

Ian Rick, Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Visits Officer said:

‘Brian is positive, cheerful and always laughing and very popular with visitors and fellow volunteers.’

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Alison Hogan volunteer lifeboat press officer at Exmouth Lifeboat Station on 07867 904498 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

RNLI/Maurice Chittock

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.

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