Redcar RNLI honours retired Lifeboat Medical Advisor

During this time he served both the Redcar and Teesmouth lifeboat stations, and during his 30 years of volunteering these lifeboats have been credited with rescuing 150 people.

Presenting his formal Certificate of Service at the annual Chairmans Dinner, Dave Cocks, Chairman at Redcar RNLI, said of Dr Smith: ‘His official title was Lifeboat Medical Adviser, but over his 30 years of service Roger always went above and beyond anything that was expected from his role. He would go out of his way to perform the routine medicals our volunteers have to complete often in his own time. He was always at the end of the telephone when we needed his expert medical skills, and just like our crew members, would drop everything to come down to the lifeboat station.'

Dr Smith’s role also meant that he could be called on for pastoral care of the lifeboat crew when they faced the worst kinds of mission, at any time of the day or night.

Dr Smith said: ‘I am very proud to have managed 30 years of volunteering with the RNLI. After work, marriage and family, my time with the RNLI has been my longest commitment, accounting for half of my life. What gives me special pleasure at the end of my lifeboat career is how the crew at Redcar demonstrates that volunteering is still very much alive and well.'

Dr Smith went on to say: ‘People have lots of demands on their time these days. work, family and even social take up so much of peoples’ time. But when the call comes to save lives at sea, the Redcar volunteers always answer the call. I do feel the future of the station and lifeboat is in safe hands and I say to the volunteers “Keep up the good work".'

Notes to Editors

Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802

Redcar currently operates a B class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1- class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Andy Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer, Redcar RNLI on 07954 435834 or 01642 484491 or email [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East: 07824 518641.

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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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