Three Generations, One Calling: Littlestone RNLI family Saving Lives at Sea
On Sunday 24th September, Samuel Leigh became the third generation of his family to join the lifeboat crew at Littlestone RNLI in Kent.
Samuel, who is a student at the London School of Economics, successfully completed his afloat exercises to be marked safe to go on service. The Leigh family have been helping save lives at sea as volunteers for the RNLI at Littlestone for nearly sixty years.
Samuel Leigh follows in the footsteps of his father Peter and grandfather Pat to become a member of the volunteer lifeboat crew.
Samuel said: ‘I'm really excited to continue this family tradition of volunteering for the RNLI, and I am so pleased to be continuing in my dad's and grandad’s footsteps. It's very rewarding to know that I am another link in the chain of volunteers helping to save lives at sea at Littlestone.'
Samuel’s dad, Peter Leigh, started volunteering with the RNLI family at Littlestone over thirty five years ago, and is a helm of the station’s B-class inshore lifeboat, the
Jean McIvor. He was recognized for his selfless commitment recently when he went aboard a fishing boat in rough seas to give first aid to three casualties. Peter volunteered in the late 1980's alongside his own father Pat, who had himself joined the crew in the 1960s.
Peter said: ‘I am really proud of Samuel carrying on our family tradition and I look forward to going out on service calls with him. My memories of volunteering with my own father are very strong and positive.’
Pat added 'My son and grandson following on in my footsteps as RNLI volunteer crew members at Littlestone makes me very proud. The commitment to answer shouts and the training to be ready for whatever you are tasked to is what sets volunteers apart. I'm delighted that Peter and Samuel are continuing our contribution to the RNLI family at Littlestone.'
John Kenny, the volunteer station manager at Littlestone RNLI said 'We have a fantastic group of local volunteers at Littlestone and lucky to have such commitment from a local family. None of our afloat crew come from a maritime background, but the RNLI trains our volunteers to be safe and effective when called out on service. Pat Leigh was a steeple jack, Peter works at Dungeness power station and Samuel is a student. Anyone can volunteer with the RNLI and learn new skills to help save lives at sea.'
'Our trainee crew members are massively supported by everyone else at Littlestone RNLI. It's a real team effort to train new crew and this enables us to continue saving lives at sea. Like the vast majority of RNLI crew, we are all volunteers at Littlestone and I'm proud of the courage and dedication that our team display. Well done from all of us Samuel!'If you're interested in joining our crew for any sea going or shore based role, please contact our Lifeboat Operations Manager by emailing [email protected]
RNLI Media Contacts For further information, please contact:
Clinton Marshall, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlestone Lifeboat Station on 07758 616581 or [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead (London/East/South East) on 07827 58256 or [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 or [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
RNLI online For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.