A Staithes RNLI lifeboat volunteer is to be awarded the Institutions Bronze Badge for his fundraising efforts over the last decade.
Dave Manship with his letter from the Chief Executive informing him that he is to be awarded the RNLI's Bronze Badge
David Manship, a volunteer shore-helper and until recently, fundraising chairman at the Staithes station, has received a letter from the RNLI’s Chief Executive, Paul Boissier, informing him of the award.
Dave has been a tractor driver at the lifeboat station for 20 years and was recently presented with a long service badge for that role. He has also been a key fundraiser for the last twelve years, becoming fundraising chairman in 2005.
The letter, from the Chief Executive, says:-
“I am very pleased to tell you that as part of the Institution’s 2010 awards, the council has decided to award you the Bronze Badge in recognition of your very valuable service with the Staithes & Runswick Lifeboat Management Group.”
Dave, on receiving the letter, says:-
“I am extremely proud that the RNLI have decided to award me the Bronze Badge for the fundraising that I have been involved with over the years. It was almost a full time job to keep the money coming in but I couldn’t have done it without the help of the lifeboat crew and the many other people who have an involvement with the station. Our annual Lifeboat Weekend was always the main event on the fundraising calendar, hard work to organise but worth it to have such a special event in the village.”
Lee Jackson, a helmsman and the Press Officer with Staithes lifeboat, added:-
“Dave’s efforts at fundraising and leading the fundraising team have meant that the Staithes Lifeboat station has been able to run financially self sufficient over recent years. What it has cost to run the station is the amount that has been raised, about £40,000 per year. We are all really pleased that Dave’s hard work has been recognised with the award of the Bronze Badge.”
Dave stepped down as fundraising chairman at the end of 2009 but continues to be a volunteer tractor driver at the station.