Byline: Eastbourne Mayor, Councillor Mike Thompson presented senior crewman Paul Rogers with a specially struck badge and letter of appreciation from Paul Bossier, chief executive of the RNLI, to acknowledge 20 years loyal service with Eastbourne lifeboats.

Page Content: Paul volunteered to join the crew of Eastbourne inshore lifeboat at Fisherman’s Green when he was just 17 as a shore helper. Since then he has received extensive training and taken part in countless rescues at sea and is now Deputy Second Coxswain and mechanic aboard the all-weather lifeboat and helmsman aboard the inshore lifeboat. His experience and training has enabled him to become an Offshore Yachtmaster and Power Boat instructor, he has also received specialist training in swift water rescue techniques and is a member of the RNLI flood rescue team. Not content with his seafaring qualifications, and being a keen distance runner, he is currently studying on the UK Athletic Coaching course.

Paul is fortunate that his wife Dawn is fully aware of the dedication and commitment required of a volunteer crewman aboard a busy lifeboat in that she too was once a member of crew aboard Eastbourne’s inshore lifeboat. Their early courtship was in fact set in the romantic setting of a damp lifeboat station dressed in dry suits. Despite that they now have two delightful children Sydney 13, and Charlie 10.

With all his voluntary commitments it’s hard to believe Paul still has time to run his own successful plumbing business, PR Plumbing. If he’s not saving lives at sea or running along the South Downs he can probably be found replacing a faulty boiler or mending a leaky tap somewhere!

Picture shows Paul with his family and fellow lifeboat crew receiving his award from Councillor Mike Thompson.

Byline: At a presentation on Friday (11th. April) both the New Years Day Dip and Zurich Financial Services (IOM) presented cheques to Peel lifeboat.

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Paddy Kelly the Chair of the Peel RNLI ladies guild received the cheques. £1000 from Jackie Green on behalf of the New Years day dippers and £530 from Zurich who were represented by Rachel Hey, Claire Cope, Sarah Vaughan and Merita Taylor. Paddy thanked both parties on behalf of Peel lifeboat and said that the Institution is run solely on donations.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please Malcolm Kelly, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at Peel on 01624 842731 or 07624490251. Alternatively, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager for the West on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829 or the RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Byline: After 46 years as Peel lifeboat medical officer Dr. Phillip Christian has retired and his service was recognised at the annual general meeting of Peel RNLI held on Thursday 10th April.

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Branch Chairman Stuart Blackley outlined Phillips long service and thanked him for his help to the branch over the years. He than presented a painting of Ruby Clery painted by Roland on behalf of all the volunteers at Peel station. He also presented a letter from Paul Boussier Chief Executive of the RNLI who thanked and congratulated Phillip on his long service.

Also honoured with a framed certificate at the meeting was Jack Lee former crewman and now committee member who has over many years run the bonus ball competition raising over £16000 for RNLI funds.

Stuart Blackley went on to thank all the volunteers for their work over the past year as did Paddy Kelly Ladies Guild Chair .  Margaret Kelly branch Treasurer gave a report of the past years fund raising saying that it was much the same as the previous year with the magnificent sum of £31,806.

Allen Corlett lifeboat operations manager gave a report of the years activities and rescues with Peel again being one of the busiest lifeboats on the Island.

 

RNLI media contacts
For more information please Malcolm Kelly, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at Peel on 01624 842731 or 07624490251. Alternatively, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager for the West on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829 or the RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789