Tree cheers for Hunstanton RNLI

Monday 8 December 2025

A lifeboat crew's entry in a Christmas tree festival was voted best in show.

Caroline Lamming puts the finishing touches to the tree and (inset) Neil Reeve with the crew's winners' cerificate

Hunstanton RNLI's entry in the event at the resort's town hall saw off some 30 other entries to sail home in first place.

Volunteers were presented with their best in show certificate by the Mayor of Hunstanton Cynthia Easeman, after visitors voted for their favourite tree over the weekend of 5 - 7 December.

'It was a vote for a great tree, which was all about our one crew ethos,' said Salvatore Marziano, who helped decorate the tree.

The display - complete with knitted crew members, yellow wellies and craft - carried the message that everyone at the nearby lifeboat station was part of one crew.

It said: 'Our crew isn't just made up of the brave men and women who respond to emergencies on our lifeboat and hovercraft, but also the wider crew who stand shoulder to shoulder with us - the Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Guild, our visits and education teams, shop and water safety teams, and all who help us raise funds towards our lifesaving work.

'We want to thank them for their unwavering support. This tree is a symbol of this team work with people from all aspects of the station helping to put it together.

'On behalf of all the crew we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and safe New Year.'

As well as a £40 prize from organisers Hunstanton Town Council, visitors to the event also donated £85 to the RNLI.

The Hunstanton crew will have their pagers on over Christmas and New Year even when tucking into their Turkey.

Like RNLI crews around the coast of the UK and Ireland, they are ready to leave their celebrations with friends and family to battle the elements and save lives at sea.

RNLI lifeboats launch on average more than 100 times during the Christmas period every year, with 119 'shouts' in 2024.

These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the donations which help to fund the essential kit and training needed to keep us prepared and equipped to save lives.

The RNLI has launched a Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work into next year and beyond.

To donate, go online to RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.

Notes to Editors

Hunstanton lifeboat station operates both a fast inshore lifeboat and a search and rescue hovercraft.

Its volunteer crew covers The Wash, a tidal estuary of some 200 square miles, along with parts of the north Norfolk coast.

They are supported by the station's visits and education team, volunteers who staff its souvenir shop and members of the Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Guild, which raises vital funds for the charity that saves lives at sea.

The lifesaving work of the station and more than 230 like it would not be possible without those who raise funds or donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI Picture captions

The photos show the event. Please credit RNLI/Chris Bishop.

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

From left, Salvatore Marziano, Caroline Lamming and Ron Kendall with the Hunstanton RNLI Christmas tree

Caroline Lamming puts the finishing touches to the tree

Neil Reeve with the crew's winners' certificate

A carved Shannon Class lifeboat on the Hunstanton RNLI Christmas tree

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.

The weather's hot, but the water's cold

Tree cheers for Hunstanton RNLI

Key facts about the RNLI

Learn more about the RNLI

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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