Generations of RNLI lifesavers on Christmas duty at Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is launching its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, focusing on brave crews who have volunteered their time and commitment 24/7, 365 days a year and their families whose support ensures the charity’s lifesaving service has continued for 200 years.
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed by lifeboat crews.
Christmas is a time for family and, for many, a time for sharing stories of times and generations past. For the Bolton family from Rye Harbour in East Sussex these stories often involve saving lives at sea.
Paul Bolton (pictured left) is Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station where he is joined on the crew by daughters Tia, 21 and Izzy, 22.
Lifesaving is very much a family pursuit with Paul’s wife Claire Robus-Bolton being the daughter of an ex-helm and Deputy Launch Authority (DLA) and niece of four uncles who volunteered. Claire, who is also ex-crew, is a current fundraiser and a family support volunteer, bridging the gap between operational crew and families of the crew during shouts.
Recently brought into the family is Ben Leroy-Lewis, 18, Tia’s boyfriend.
Paul, 56, said: ‘The girls have grown up with the RNLI. They would probably tell you it was in their blood.
‘When Izzy was 18 she decided she wanted to volunteer as shore crew and then she joined a boat crew plan. Tia joined on her 17th birthday after desperately waiting for the weeks to tick away. ‘She joined as shore crew and is now qualified boat crew’.
Bolton family festivities are slightly different to most families with the likelihood that they could get called out at a moment’s notice. Paul has always been on duty over the festive period and other crew colleagues cover the new year period. Since the girls joined they have both been on call at Christmas and Boxing Day. This year they will all be on call and Ben is too.
Paul said: ‘There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe to their families – that would also be true at Christmas. But as volunteer lifeboat crew we couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public which fund the kit, training and equipment we need to save others and get home safely to our own families.’
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 – 31 December inclusive
Captions/Credit
Paul Bolton, daughters Izzy, Tia and her partner Ben Leroy-Lewis. Credit KT Bruce/RNLI
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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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