Lifeboat ladiesreceive specialhonours award

Volunteers Betty Broocks, Margaret Stoodley, Jean Robus and Wendy Barnes, Fund raising Committee Members at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station attended the RNLIs recent Annual Presentation of Awards at London’s Barbican.

Together they have contributed over 100 years of

They were each awarded with the RNLIs Gold Badge in recognition of their long and devoted service with the Rye Harbour station.

The Badges were awarded by Mark Criddle, Coxswain of Torbay Lifeboat, who was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal for gallantry in 2008 after rescuing eight members of the crew from the cargo ship ‘Ice Prince’.

Betty joined in March 1984 but had been actively involved at the lifeboat station since it was reopened in 1966. Her husband Terry was one of the helmsmen of the then D Class Lifeboat.

Margaret joined on 1 August 1985. Being part of the fund raising committee at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station and also serving on the Rye and Winchelsea District Branch committee.

Jean joined on 14 October 1985 when there was a drive to raise money for a new lifeboat house and to raise money for much needed equipment.

Wendy joined the Rye and Winchelsea District Branch committee in 1986 and then joined Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station helping to establish the now fund raising Team.

Steve Tollett, chairman Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station Branch, said: “It’s amazing to think that these four exceptional ladies have collectively contributed over 116 years of voluntary service to the RNLI.

They have faced all the elements in their efforts to raise much needed funds to help run the RNLI, as well as supporting the crew throughout the night when out on shouts or doing their 24 hour fund raising events.”

He added: In 2013 £51.7m was raised in funds in the which went towards the £144.6m it costs to run the RNLI.

“On behalf of everyone at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station, I would like to offer them my most sincere congratulations.”