200 years’ service for six Littlehampton RNLI crew
As the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) reaches its 200th anniversary, six of Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station’s longest-serving operational crew are celebrating nearly 200 years’ voluntary service.
The six volunteers, who are all from the local area, have chalked up a combined 194 years’ saving lives at sea. They are all frontline lifesavers who currently have, or have held, seagoing roles – and they all play a crucial role in the smooth running of the lifeboat station. They are:
- Geoff Warminger: 52 years
- Nick White: 42 years
- Ivan Greer: 33 years
- Andy Harris: 28 years
- Gavin Simmons: 22 years
- Rob Devo: 17 years
Since it was founded on 4 March 1824, the RNLI has relied on volunteering to power its lifesaving service. Each volunteer juggles their time with their job and family life. They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When their pager goes off, they will drop everything to head to the lifeboat station and save lives at sea. Littlehampton RNLI, which is in the heart of Littlehampton Harbour, is manned entirely by volunteers.
Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, has volunteered with the RNLI for 42 years, at both Littlehampton and Weston-super-Mare. He said: ‘The town of Littlehampton has a long and close relationship with the RNLI. Since the 19th century, our men and women have selflessly given up their time to help those in trouble in our local waters.
‘Although today we are recognising the dedication and commitment of our longest-serving volunteers, I would also like to thank every single one of the many men and women at Littlehampton RNLI who make our lifesaving work possible. To our shop staff, visits officers, water safety team, fundraisers, press officers, boathouse managers, launch authorities, shore crew and crew – thank you!’
Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew look after the stretch of the West Sussex coast between Bognor Regis and Worthing. Littlehampton RNLI is independent from the Coastguard and receives no government funding. The modern lifeboat station was established in 1969 and was home to the famous Blue Peter I lifeboat for 49 years. Today, Littlehampton is served by two lifeboats – Renee Sherman and Ray of Hope.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Picture caption: From left to right - Geoff Warminger, Ivan Greer, Andy Harris, Gavin Simmons, Nick White and Rob Devo.
To find out more about Littlehampton RNLI, see https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2022/april/27/10-facts-about-littlehampton-rnli-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Beth Brooks, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI
07544 209256 [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager, SE & London
07724 801305 [email protected]
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.
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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.