Wirral's independent local news website
It’ll be a different Christmas experience this year for several new crew members at New Brighton Lifeboat station.
As the RNLI launches its Christmas Appeal, there are no fewer than 11 crew members who will be spending the festive period with their pagers close at hand in New Brighton.
With a mixture of trainee crew, new tractor drivers and a new press officer all having taken up post this year, Christmas might prove a slightly different experience for the volunteers this time around.
Established in 1863, New Brighton’s crews have been saving lives at sea for almost 150 years. Currently home to an Atlantic 85 B-Class Lifeboat, the Wirral-based station have had a busy summer and are anticipating a potentially busy winter too. Indeed, in the Wales and North West region, RNLI lifeboats have launched nearly 100 times and aided 49 people over the last five Christmas periods.
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but Tristan Dickson, Tom Varley, Fliss Green, Hayden Smith, Bruno Verdier, Rob Leech, Connor Wray, Liz Henderson, Paul Baldwyn, Andy Lawler and Lauren Francom will all be ready to leave their loved ones this Christmas, as they spend their holidays on hand to save anyone and everyone that might need them, for the first time.
For new crew member, Tom, the pager would certainly signify a new experience at Christmas, “The pager going off would break a 39-year-old tradition for me, as I’ve never been outside on a Christmas day! Whilst I’m hoping everybody on the coast stays safe this Christmas so I can continue that streak, I’ll be right there if needed, of course.”
Trainee crew member, Connor, who will be on call throughout Christmas day and night, said, “Volunteering for the RNLI is an incredible experience and I have learned so much this year already. The training has been exceptional and the bond between the crew is second to none. I am incredibly proud to be a representative of this station and to have a small role to play in keeping everybody safe on the water.”
No rescue would be possible without the generosity of the RNLI’s supporters and their donations. This helps to fund essential kit, lifesaving equipment and training resources that are needed by lifeboat crews all year round.
To donate to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, visit: RNLI.org/Xmas
Image: New Brighton RNLI Crew on the beach during training. Credit: RNLI – Emily Craven
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