Shoreham Lifeboat Station to Host Book Launch

In her new 90-page book, Keegan documents the interesting life story of her friend Enid Collett and the legacy she left behind at Shoreham RNLI lifeboat station in the form of their Tamar class all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the Enid Collett lifeboat.

Enid Collett’s journey began humbly as the daughter of a farmer from Huntingdonshire but at aged 18 her life changed course dramatically as she began forging a career in theatre. After taking a job as a personal assistant to the owner of the Festival Theatre in Cambridge, Collett’s career took off; seeing her work and travel all over the world, finding plays and actors to bring back to the UK theatre industry and eventually direct productions herself.

Patricia Keegan came to live with Enid Collett in the last few years of her life. Caring for her friend, Keegan penned her incredible life story, including Collett’s eventual decision to leave her estate to Shoreham RNLI without any previous connection to the charity, helping to fund their Tamar class ALB, in this thrilling new book.

The Enid Collett ALB has been busy saving lives at sea since she was placed on service on 10 December 2010, becoming a vital asset in the RNLI’s coverage on the South East’s coastline.

In keeping with Enid Collett’s generosity, £2 of from every sale of The Lady and the Legacy, Enid Collett Lifeboat on Amazon will be donated to the RNLI to help fund the charity’s future lifesaving services.

Notes to Editors:

• The Tamar Class All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) was the first lifeboat class to be fitted with an integrated electronic Systems and Information Management System (SIMS), allowing the crew to operate the all-weather lifeboat from the safety of their shock-absorbing seats. For more information about the Tamar Class ALB please visit: https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/tamar-class-lifeboat

RNLI Media Contacts:

Thomas Henfrey, RNLI Media Engagement Placement, London and Southeast,[email protected] 07790772665

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Media Manager, London and Southeast, [email protected] (07827) 358256

Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer, London and Southeast, [email protected], 07785 296252

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer 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.

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.