Lord Mayor honours volunteer crew at Portsmouth RNLI carol service
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson thanked RNLI crew at their annual carol service and nativity, led by station Chaplain Fr John Strain, at St James' Church in Milton, on Sunday.
In what has become a strong tradition at Portsmouth RNLI, over 100 people, including local residents, crew and families attended the annual carol service and nativity in St James’ church in the heart of Portsmouth. Led by Father John Strain, dad of long-standing crew member Justin, and accompanied by volunteer choir ‘AChoired Taste’ and Portsmouth City Band, the service enjoyed all the traditional carols as well as readings and a light-hearted nativity, involving the crew, called ‘Trouble Upstairs!’.
During a brief address Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and a parishioner at St James’, offered his sincere gratitude and thanks, on behalf of the people of Portsmouth, for the Crews selflessness and courage during what has been another busy year for the station and its crew. Lifeboat Operations Manager Roy Marsh then followed with an update on the progress and training that has been undertaken this year, as well as a sample of the range of missions that crews have attended. There was also a moment for everyone to remember those most difficult of missions this year, when casualties did not survive, despite the crew doing everything they could.
As is tradition, the service finished with crew and the choir leaving not a dry eye in church with a rousing rendition of Phil Coulter’s ‘The Lifeboat Song’, after which everyone was invited for mince pies and refreshments. During a crew photo afterwards along with Portsmouth Sea Cadets, some crew raised their pagers in salute to those who, like them, will be ready, at a moment’s notice, to leave their family plans before, during and after Christmas and New Year, should the alarm be raised.
Notes to Editors:
· Portsmouth lifeboats have answered 85 calls so far this year.
· On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year and, with 119 launches in 2024.
· The RNLI receives no government funding for the lifesaving service it provides, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
· To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, please visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
Media Contact Alex Lochrane Portsmouth RNLI Volunteer Press Officer Email [email protected] or RNLI Press Office [email protected]
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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.
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