Staunch volunteer lifeboat fundraiser Nick Wareing passes away
The passing of Nick Wareing is a sad loss to his family and many friends in Lytham St Annes.
Nick Wareing was a friend to all and a strong supporter of many local charities over the years. He passed away unexpectedly on the 24 April 2024. Nick's main passion was to raise money and awareness for the Lytham St Annes RNLI Lifeboat Station and through his tireless volunteering he raised thousands of pounds over the years.
He was a member of the station's Fundraising Committee and volunteered in the lifeboat souvenir shop on South Promenade, although he had spent years helping at the station’s other souvenir shop on Central Beach before then.
At every opportunity, when suitable weather allowed, Nick would be out with his collecting box in front of the boathouse on South Promenade. And when the 'Leg It Fun Run for the Lifeboats' took place, he would follow the course between the two boathouses on most days, talking to people about the lifeboats and collecting donations for the charity. His enthusiasm was infectious.
Nothing was too much trouble for Nick and he could always be counted on to offer help in any fundraising activity. A few years back the crew presented him with a garden bench to show their admiration for his commitment to the lifeboat. Last year Nick was sent a Letter of Thanks for the RNLI Support Centre in Poole, Dorset for his continued and incredible support for the lifesaving charity.
Nick was last at the station on South Promenade as part of the shop volunteers visit, to thank them all for their hard work over the past year. He was in his usual happy and helpful form then and it came as a great shock to all his many friends to hear of his sudden passing. He will be greatly missed as Nick was a very popular person around the town.
Lytham St Annes Branch Chairman, Digby Moulden said in response to the comments from members of the station: 'I would just like to acknowledge the incredible outpouring of sadness over the last 24 hours for Nick. It really is amazing but not surprising. Thanks to everyone for such lovely comments.'
The lifeboat station as a whole is planning to add a commemoration to Nick to the row of pavers in front of the boathouse on South Promenade, as part of the The Lytham St Annes RNLI 200th Anniversary Paver Project being run at the moment for members of the public to remember friends or loved ones by.
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.