Pride of Britain awards
In the summer ITV Meridian was asking people in their area to nominate people who had gone the extra mile for fundraising locally.
This is part of the Pride of Britain awards which celebrate the achievements of truly remarkable people. These people have helped make our world a better place not only in fundraising but in many categories. The award ceremony in London is broadcast in November and it is the biggest awards’ show of its kind on British television.
Betty Broocks, from Rye Harbour in Sussex, was nominated for her outstanding achievements in raising many thousands of pounds for the RNLI. She had no idea that she was being put forward. When she was informed about being shortlisted to the last four in the region she said, “Why me?”
She is modest and a great giver of her time and has spent fifty-five years in raising awareness of the great work the charity does. She said when interviewed, “I think I was born with RNLI blood in my veins.”
The attached film was shown on Monday 26 September, her birthday in fact, on ITV Meridian news at 6pm. For the next three nights the other candidates will be show-cased and on Friday the winner will be announced.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.