Greg Searle to Do the Honours for New Lifeboat
Chiswick RNLI’s Dougie and Donna B to be named by Olympic Medallist
Greg Searle, medal winning Olympic Rower, will name Chiswick RNLI’s new E class lifeboat at a naming and dedication ceremony at Chiswick Pier on Friday 28 September.
The lifeboat will be named Dougie and Donna B after the couple whose legacies funded the construction of the vessel.
Donna and Doug had no children; they chose the RNLI as the beneficiary of their estate as a result of Doug’s association with the sea through his time in the Merchant Navy and later with the Port of London Authority. Doug had died some years before Donna but she was determined to honour his wishes. Both had dreamed of a lifeboat on the Thames bearing their names.
The ceremony will start at 2:30 with a service of dedication followed by the formal handover of the vessel, the naming ceremony and a demonstration of the lifeboat’s capabilities by the duty crew.
Chiswick RNLI Station Manager, Wayne Bellamy commented “The generous legacy that has funded the Lifeboat is very much appreciated, and thanks for everyone’s continued regular donations that enable us to operate, maintain, equip and train her Volunteer Crews! Most recently evidenced by the Lamb Brewery which is soon to launch their latest specialty ale 'Lifeboat Volunteer' and has offered to donate 25p from the sale of every pint.”.
The RNLI has 233 lifeboat stations including four on the Thames. Chiswick RNLI lifeboat became operational on the 2nd January 2002. Since then it has responded to over 2,100 emergency calls. The four Thames lifeboats together have responded to over 5,000 calls.
More helpers are always needed to assist in fundraising, which is the only source of income for RNLI's life saving services throughout the UK and Ireland.
September 22, 2012
