Major gift
I love boats.
I love lifeboats.
When my husband and I were children, we were both fascinated by the barges going back and forth along the Thames. We were both aware of the RNLI – his family and others in the neighbourhood all had RNLI collection boxes.
When we retired to Devon, we decided to volunteer in the local lifeboat station shop and became members of the local Guild. We also made regular donations to the RNLI and for many happy years we worked in the shop and in the summer on our town's green.
Sadly, when my husband died I was unable to continue volunteering, but after our affairs were settled I got to thinking about a wish he had expressed – to donate something ‘concrete' to our town's lifeboat. Fate came to my aid when a family of sailing enthusiasts donated a new modern lifeboat to the town. I was approached by a friendly representative from the RNLI and asked if I would like to donate the money for a new piece of equipment the boat needed in my husband's memory.
I happily agreed and when the day arrived I was taken down to the slipway to see the new boat and equipment. I just stood and looked at this fine vessel and experienced a feeling of calm contentment. My husband's wish had been fulfilled and his donation to the Lifeboats made. The launch was perfect.
These brave men need all the support we, the public, can give them. The sea itself has become one ‘vast playground'. Many accidents do happen and the RNLI comes to the rescue.