Staithes and Runswick RNLI Celebrate the Life of Chair Neil Anderson

St Oswald’s Church, Lythe, was filled with family, friends, and RNLI colleagues from across the North East coast, all gathering to honour a man whose passion and enthusiasm inspired so many.

The service, held on 17 February, was a celebration and poignant tribute to the life of William Neil Anderson, who gave over four decades of service to the RNLI. As a mark of their deep respect and gratitude, Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat volunteers provided a guard of honour prior to the family burial with the RNLI standard and a piper, paying tribute to Neil's Scottish ancestry.

'Neil was the heart and soul of our station for over four decades,' said Sean Baxter, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Staithes and Runswick RNLI, speaking on behalf of the lifeboat station.

'His enthusiasm, leadership, and compassion shaped everything we do. He wasn’t just our Chair; he was family, and his loss is felt deeply by all of us. Today’s service was a fitting tribute to a truly remarkable man.'

Neil’s dedication to the lifeboat station and the RNLI was unwavering, and his presence on the station will be profoundly missed. He was known not only at Staithes and Runswick RNLI but at stations around the coast.

Those who attended the service, and subsequent gathering at Runswick Bay Fishermen's Institute reflected on Neil's kindness, warmth, and determination, things that made him such a special part of the community. Not only this but Neil's ability to befriend those who he met, even in his final months Neil made new friends. As ever committed to the RNLI technology was employed to allow Neil to take part in services during the 2024 lifeboat weekend. Neil was also part of the RNLI's 200th anniversary celebrations at the station, adding his name to the Connecting Communities scroll, something which he saw as a great honour.

As the service concluded, RNLI volunteers left St Oswald’s Church remembering Neil not just as a leader, but as a true friend and inspiration.

Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat station and its volunteers remain committed to carrying forward Neil's legacy of service and dedication to saving lives at sea.

Notes to Editors
Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat has been in operation since 1978 with Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats (ILBs). The present ILB at the station B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III has been on station since 2016.

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