Dedicated volunteers in Mablethorpe are '˜lifeline' of the RNLI

The RNLI Mablethorpe shop volunteers receiving their certificates.

Five fantastic RNLI volunteers in Mablethorpe have been described as the crew's '˜lifeline' when they were recently rewarded '¨for their efforts.

James Thompson, retail manager for the RNLI and Lesley Robson, RNLI visitor engagement manager for the East Midlands, both presented the commendations to the volunteers who work in the RNLI shop.

Dorothy Merchant, Jean Davies and Bill Watson received the certificates of commendation.

There was also a special award, the first of its kind awarded to the management duo of the shop.

Husband and wife duo, Tom and Ellen Lucas were presented with a glass award of Mablethorpe’s newest lifeboat, the Shannon, from the RNLI - who wanted to show their appreciation to the couple.

The couple have managed the shop for nearly 10 years after they moved to the area from Essex.

Ellen Lucas said: “We were keen to get involved with something locally and Tom spent many years in Essex in the engineering trade and assisted with parts that went on boats.

“So it was nice to give something back, that was again boat related. We were very surprised and gobsmacked to receive the glass Shannon.

“It was something we were not expecting. Tom was lost for words and that doesn’t happen very often.”

The shop, situated next door to the active RNLI Lifeboat Station on Mablethorpe’s Promenade, is open 365 days a year,  including Christmas Day.

Lifeboat operations manager for Mablethorpe RNLI, Dale Chapman said: “The Mablethorpe RNLI shop is one of the best in the country for fund raising for our organisation as a whole.

“Without these dedicated volunteers, who keep the shop open every day of the year, the work we do simply would not be possible.

“These people are the lifeline of the RNLI and without them, we wouldn’t stay afloat financially.

“They are truly amazing.”