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Plaque unveiled following generous donation to West Mersea RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

A new plaque was unveiled in memory of the late Diane Peckston following a very generous donation made by her husband in her memory.

RNLI/Martin Wade

Unveiling of plaque

On Monday 23 May, West Mersea RNLI welcomed Gary Peckston to the lifeboat station to unveil a new plaque in memory of his late wife, Diane. Last year Gary donated a very generous amount to West Mersea RNLI following the passing of his wife, in his words ‘to make sure something good comes from her passing’.

Due to the COVID restrictions in place at the time, the unveiling was postponed until when Gary, some of his friends and the volunteers at West Mersea Lifeboat Station were all able to gather. After the unveiling, Gary toured the station and regaled the volunteer crew with his stories, before being presented with a cake by the volunteer crew for his very generous donation.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Rick Boreham, said of the donation: ‘We are extremely indebted to Gary for the very generous donation he made in memory of his late wife. The donation will ensure that the station can continue it’s lifesaving operations. The lifeboat has launched 23 times on operations already this year and we are on course for a record number of operational launches and this donation has already enabled us to upgrade and renew equipment to meet operational demands.’

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Chris Lewis-Garnham, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]

 

RNLI/Martin Wade

Cake presented by crew

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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 142,700 lives.

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