“Excellence in Volunteering” Awards for Filey Lifeboat.

When it was realised that lifeboat weekend 2020 was to be cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic and various lockdowns, the idea was mooted for a virtual weekend as an alternative way to raise funds for Filey Lifeboat Station.

The team, comprising John Ward, George Atkinson and Dougie Ward, undertook the task, producing two full days of virtual lifeboat entertainment which was viewed on Facebook alone by over 160,000 people and which raised a staggering £9,200.

John Ward, Filey Lifeboat Station Press Officer and retired Deputy 2^nd Coxswain, selected the themes and programme for the weekend. He approached supporters to ask if they would make their own films showing what they usually do on the weekend as well as contacting a range of special guests to advertise the weekend on video. He secured copyright permission and then thanked all the contributors once the virtual weekend had been completed for their support.

Dougie Ward is a student at The University of Nottingham and hopes to follow a career in Marine Engineering. He is also a crew member of both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats. Dougie sifted through the thousands of photographs and videos selecting those which were the most suitable and then collating them around the programme of events. He co-selected the accompanying music and formulated the story lines and storyboarding

George Atkinson is a student at The University of Hull. He hopes to have a career in Computer Science. Currently he runs a website “Stay in Filey” and is responsible for the live webcams showing Filey Bay and Filey Brig. George produced the final version of the virtual weekend spending dozens of hours merging film, photographs and sound. He used his considerable skills to produce professional and thought-provoking montages and videos which he then strung together to ensure that the weekend ran smoothly and to time.

John Ward, Filey Lifeboat Press Officer said: “This was a great team effort but special praise must go to Dougie and George who have produced a fantastic tribute to Filey Lifeboat Station, each spending an incredible amount of time to make sure the production was both professional and reflected all aspects of Filey Lifeboat Station. All three of us are very grateful for this award. The videos are still on our Facebook page for anyone who wants to watch”: https://www.facebook.com/fileylifeboatstation

Notes to editors

• Filey Lifeboat Station was founded in 1804. It currently operates both a Mersey-Class All-Weather Lifeboat and an Inshore Lifeboat. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to Filey Lifeboat Station Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/fileylifeboatstation

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone John Ward, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07771800748 or [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

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 142,700 lives.

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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.