Colin, 89, finally calls time on his volunteer role supporting Bridlington lifeboat

Lifeboat stalwart Colin Dockerill has decided to retire after almost 16 years of volunteering for the Bridlington RNLI.

The many people who have visited the Bridlington RNLI shop, attached to the lifeboat station on the resort’s seafront, will no doubt have come across Colin, who has been serving there for nearly 16 years. After completing 15 years and six months as a volunteer, Colin has decided that at the grand young age of 89, it is time to hand the reins over to a new shop manager.

James Thompson, RNLI retail lead for the North and East, said: “Colin has been a wonderful volunteer shop manager for over 15 years. Under Colin’s leadership, the Bridlington Promenade shop has gone from strength to strength and has brought in an incredible amount of money to enable us to carry out our lifesaving work.

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“We are sad to see Colin leave the role and wish him all the best with his retirement.” Meanwhile, Bridlington RNLI is to hold an event especially for children as part of the continuing RNLI 200 celebrations, marking 200 years of the lifesaving charity.

A “Crew for the Day” event is being put on by volunteers for youngsters, at Bridlington Lifeboat Station, on Saturday, May 25. The event, from 10am to 2pm, will give children an insight into what it takes to be a volunteer crew member for the day.

There will be a chance to learn new skills, complete challenges, meet current volunteers - ranging from fundraisers to boat crew - and to get to see how the lifeboat station works. The event is free with activities to complete and is primarily aimed at seven-year-olds upwards.

There will also be a display of artwork produced by students at East Riding College, Bridlington, on the theme of the RNLI. Anna Needham, Bridlington RNLI volunteer, who is the lead on this event said: “2024 is a wonderful milestone for us to reach.

“The RNLI would not have been successful for the past 200 years without the many volunteers since the organisation was formed in 1824. In our bicentenary year we now look forward to inspiring our next generation of crew.”