Cromer RNLI volunteer Kate Roberts finds many ways to support her local lifeboat

Kate Roberts joined Cromer RNLI on 1 May 2024, having wanted to volunteer with the charity for many years.

Her interest in the RNLI began when she was a child, when she would attend Cromer Lifeboat Days and spend her pocket money in the RNLI shop. After taking early retirement, Kate finally had the time to turn that long-standing interest into something more.

She initially joined the station as station administrator, a role she continues to undertake. Since then, she has taken on additional responsibilities as ashes coordinator and crew fund treasurer.

Kate also volunteers in the Cromer RNLI shop and is currently training to become shore crew, undertaking the training needed to support the lifeboat when it launches and returns to station.

She now has five different volunteer roles at Cromer RNLI, reflecting the many different ways in which volunteers contribute to the work of the station.

'I’ve really enjoyed getting involved in all the different roles and learning new things' said Kate. 'What I’ve realised is just how many different ways there are to support the RNLI. You don’t have to be a lifeboat crew member to make a difference. There are roles that suit all sorts of different skills and interests, whether you want to be involved operationally, help behind the scenes, work in the shop or support the station in other ways.

'Volunteering has also given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and become part of a great team. I’d definitely encourage anyone who has ever thought about volunteering to find out what opportunities are available. You might be surprised at just how much you can get involved in.'

Cromer RNLI is currently looking for volunteers to join its team in a number of roles, including lifeboat press officer, boat and shore crew, shop manager, shop volunteer and water safety officer.

The opportunities offer very different ways to support the station, from helping with communications and supporting the RNLI shop to operational and water safety roles.

Volunteers are an essential part of the RNLI, helping to ensure that the station can continue to support those in trouble at sea and around the coast.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the current volunteering opportunities at Cromer RNLI can view the roles at:

https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities

Key facts about Cromer RNLI

The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry. Cromer RNLI lifeboat station was founded in 1804 and became part of the RNLI in 1824, and in that time its crews have launched the lifeboats 1435 times and saved 1294 lives.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Clare Stagg, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Cromer RNLI, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.