The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.

You will all know me as an enthusiastic sailor, which has been an activity we have been lucky enough to enjoy as a family for the last 20-odd years.

We needed the assistance of the RNLI once, when our yacht hit an unmarked rock, which loosened the keel and we were towed into port by the RNLI.The bottle of rum we offered in thanks for our rescue was a bit pathetic and clearly couldn't compensate  for our safety.

Since that day the charity of our choice has been the RNLI, which provides a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the coasts of the UK, as well as a seasonal lifeguard service on many of the busiest beaches. The RNLI also provides flood rescue teams to assist in flood relief work at home and across the globe. And of course we have our very own lifeboat stationed at Teddington, one of the lifeboat stations introduced along the Thames after the collision between the pleasure cruiser The Marchioness and the dredger Bowbelle, which resulted in the loss of 51 lives in 1989. This was the first time the RNLI set up lifeboat stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters.

The RNLI is an independent charity, with a Board of volunteer trustees and does not receive any funding from the UK government. Lifeboats need to be designed, built, fuelled and maintained, and their crews trained and equipped. Lifeguards also need training and equipment.

Every year the charity must find £123.5million to keep our lifeboats and lifeguards operating.

All of this must be raised through charitable donations and other fundraising activities.

So, whenever I can I like to do my bit to assist, and if you were going to contribute towards a leaving present for me, I would be delighted if it could be made in the form of a donation to this site instead.

If you prefer, Emma Richmond is happy to do this on your behalf.

I have been working for the PCT and its predecessor organisations for over 11 years. I have learned a lot and met some wonderful people and I shall miss you all very much!

I hope to keep in touch!

Thank you very much

Dianne

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