Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat Crew delighted to be awarded Honorary Freedom of Town

Speaking at the gathering at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club in front of councillors, lifeboat crew and volunteers, Lowestoft Town Mayor Sonia Barker said “It is an honour to be able to confer the title of Freedom of the Town to the Lowestoft lifeboat Crew – past, present and future.”

Adding “whilst not a regular activity of the Town Council, we may choose to confer the title of Freedom of the Town on persons who have rendered eminent services to Lowestoft or organisations who have demonstrated that they have delivered exceptional service to the town of Lowestoft. It is an infrequently awarded title and not one that the Town Council bestows lightly.

Our beaches and coast are a part of the character of Lowestoft and a major attraction to tourists and ensuring the safety of people using the sea is where the brave crews of the Lowestoft lifeboat steps in.

The team of dedicated lifeboat volunteers face all kinds of dangers 24/7 to make sure everyone using the sea is safe. This long, outstanding service and show of courage has saved many lives and will continue to do so.”

It is an honour to confer the title of Honorary Freedom of the Town to the crew of the Lowestoft Lifeboat and to all who have served and will serve this vital organisation.”

Receiving the prestigious award on behalf of Coxswain John Fox and the past and present crews of Lowestoft Lifeboat, newly appointed Lifeboat Operations Manager Ruth White said, “everyone at the lifeboat station is both delighted and humbled to receive this honour and appreciates that is given by representatives of the people of Lowestoft.”

“Over the years lifeboats have changed but the bravery of the crews manning them and responding to callouts remains the same and the current crew carries on that tradition. Thirty-nine medals have been awarded to Lowestoft crew members over the years, two Gold, 21 Silver and 16 Bronze - the last being in 1997.

Training is key to providing a professional rescue service and the volunteer crew can be seen on most Sunday mornings going to sea in all weathers to refresh their skills. So, to be recognised and have their commitment acknowledged is really rewarding.

Behind every lifeboat crew is a team of volunteers who help to support their work in many ways not least of which is fundraising, and their role is a vital part of the service.

We are delighted to receive the medal and certificate marking the Honorary Freedom of the Town from Lowestoft Town Council on behalf of the people of Lowestoft – particularly as I understand that it is the highest honour a Town Council can bestow upon an organisation.”

Within two hours of the award being presented the crew were called out at 12.48pm to help a wind surfer in difficulties off Pakefield. However, on arrival the novice windsurfer was found wading ashore dragging his sail in the surf. After checking that he was OK he continued ashore unaided.

It has been a busy few days for the volunteers at Lowestoft Lifeboat station as two days before they took part in the RNLI’s ‘Connecting our Communities’ relay-style event – one of the ways in which the charity is marking its 200^th anniversary in 2024.

The event saw a scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, being passed through RNLI communities – lifeboat stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches – around the UK and Ireland and being signed by representatives at each location on its route.

At Lowestoft lifeboat station the scroll was signed by Philip Holdsworth (Lifeboat Deputy Second Coxswain), Paul Packham (RNLI Shop Manager), Sandra Lincoln (Fundraising Stalwart) and Sam Every (Lifeguard Supervisor)

Fundraising chair Mary Thompson said "it was great to host the scroll as part of the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the RNLI. The event brought us together as ‘one crew’."

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Mick Howes 07814 468917 or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

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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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