Newbiggin RNLI awards afternoon
A special ceremony to acknowledge the dedication of our volunteer team was held at the Newbiggin Maritime Centre.
The proceedings were opened by the Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group John Bryan who welcomed everyone to the event and went on to reflect upon the volunteer commitment at Newbiggin RNLI.
The first award was presented to Chris Main who has given over 50 years of service here with roles including that of second coxswain on the Mary Joicey lifeboat, shorecrew then onto present day as Box Collection steward. Chris was presented with a long service medal in recognition of this lifetime of volunteering.
John then invited Richard Martin to say a few words on his late father Tim Martin who had passed away at New Year and had given over 68 years of voluntary service to Newbiggin RNLI. Richard thanked everyone for all the support given to his Mum and the Martin family.
An award for achievement by the Lifeboat Shop team was presented by Newbiggin’s Retail Manager Amy Fayers who along with her team of shop volunteers has seen a massive increase in retail sales at the lifeboat shop. All of the team each received a certificate of merit for their efforts not only in the shop but in engaging with the hundreds of visitors who look around the lifeboat and equipment as well as our heritage displays which tell the Newbiggin Lifeboat Station story over the last 174 years.
Finally a special award was given to Lewis Mortimer for all of his efforts in supporting many aspects of the station including retail, training and lifeboat operations where he was recently assigned the important role of Lifeboat Head Launcher.
John then thanked everyone for attending the event with special thanks to the Maritime Centre for refreshments and free access to the displays including the former lifeboat Mary Joicey. He went on to acknowledge all of the work and achievements by the wider volunteer team at Newbiggin thanking everyone for the dedication.
Newbiggin RNLI is currently looking to recruit volunteers to various afloat and shore based roles including launch authorities, lifeboat crew and shore crew. Ron added ‘Nationally only 10 percent of our new recruits come with professional maritime experience with our current lifeboat volunteers at Newbiggin working in a variety of non-maritime occupations.
'The RNLI provides comprehensive training to turn ordinary people into lifesavers and by volunteering, people will gain some fantastic experience, knowledge and skills with the RNLI at Newbiggin.’
If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team then contact our Lifeboat Operations Manager by emailing [email protected] or follow the attached links.
Launch Authority - Newbiggin
Volunteer ILB Crew - Newbiggin
Volunteer Shore Crew - Newbiggin
Notes to editors
Newbiggin RNLI is based at Sandridge, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland. The station was established in 1851 and currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat
Richard Wake Burdon.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected], Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then please look at the local website.
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, X, 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.