Edna rewarded for 40 years of RNLI fundraising

Jul 2 2009 by Sonia Sharma, The Journal

FOR more than 40 years, she has tirelessly helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to help save lives at sea.

But even at the age of 88, Edna Shawcross’s dedication towards the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has not dwindled.

Until three months ago, she was still at the helm of the Tynemouth Ladies Lifeboat Guild, having served as chairman for more than 20 years.

She has chosen to remain on the committee and continue helping to raise cash to help those in trouble along the coast.

The guild raises around £5,000 each year and it is estimated more than £200,000 has been collected since Edna joined the group in 1966. The funds have helped to save numerous lives over the years.

Now Edna has been honoured for her efforts and has been awarded the RNLI’s Gold Badge for 42 years of service. This is one of the organisation’s highest awards. The grandmother-of-two, of Tynemouth, said: “I feel overwhelmed after getting the award. But it is important to say that I have been very fortunate in having a marvellous committee with wonderful people.

“I have enjoyed all these years and everyone has been very helpful.”

Born in Barnsley, she moved to the North East in 1945 after marrying Doug who was in the Royal Air Force.

She then received a phone call from the treasurer of the guild and was asked to join the group.

She said: “I was surprised to get the call. I knew there was a lifeboat in Tynemouth but I didn’t know anything else about it and had never heard of the ladies guild.

“I went along and decided to help out. I felt I could be useful to the guild as it did such a great job in raising money for the RNLI. When you live in a coastal area like Tynemouth, the sea and the lifeboat become part of your life.