Royal honour for RNLI fundraiser

Lifeboat open day. Photo credit: Hoylake RNLI/Sian Holmes
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A fundraiser who is the driving force behind the Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboat Open Day has been recognised in the Queen’s new year honours.

Carole Jackson has volunteered with the RNLI  and other organisations for 50 years, and has now been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her dedication.

More than £1.5 million has been raised for the lifesaving charity in Wirral since she joined – £430k of it for the Hoylake and West Kirby branch alone.

Hoylake lifeboat station this morning
The Lifeboat Station in Hoylake

Carole said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive the BEM. It is a real testament to all of the hard work of the fundraising volunteers at Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI.

“Our Lifeboat Open Day and all of our other local fundraising activities are a big team effort and I would like to thank everyone for their dedication. From bucket collections to souvenir sales, we are proud that we are helping the RNLI to continue its vital work saving lives at sea.”

Hoylake's £2.5m Shannon lifeboat the 'Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood’
Hoylake’s £2.5m Shannon lifeboat the ‘Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood’

Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Andy Dodd added: “We’re absolutely delighted that Carole Jackson is to receive a BEM in the New Year Honours. Her commitment to both Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI lifeboats over the last 50 years has been remarkable.

“Her organising of fundraising events is second to none and we have her to thank for our annual Lifeboat Open Day, which brings thousands of people to Hoylake to learn about and support the RNLI’s work each year. As a lifeboat crew, we are in awe of her unwavering dedication and we would like to congratulate her on this fantastic achievement.”

Top photo credit: Hoylake RNLI/Sian Holmes