Generations of volunteer crew save lives at sea

The Gorvin family are volunteers at RNLI Sennen Cove lifeboat station

Lifeboats in the south west were called out at least once a day during last year's Christmas period, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has said as it launches its annual festive fundraising appeal.

Between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, RNLI lifeboats were launched a total of 16 times in the south west, the charity said.

The RNLI provides 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue services and seasonal lifeguard services.

Kirstan Gorvin has a been a volunteer at Sennen Cove lifeboat station in Cornwall for 22 years and said: "We have very rarely had a Christmas where the pager hasn’t gone off for one of us."

His son Tristan, 20, and daughter Tamsyn, 19, are also volunteer lifeboat crew at the same station, and both also work as RNLI lifeguards during the summer season.

Mr Gorvin added: "I am really proud to be part of a crew with my children who are a real asset."

Larry and Luca Sanders both volunteer at their local RNLI lifeboat station

Larry Sanders and his son Luca Sanders, from North Devon, are also volunteers at their local RNLI lifeboat station.

The 18-year-old is a volunteer crew member and his father a tractor driver, boat mechanic, shore crew and Deputy Launch Authority.

The father said: "The RNLI has been in my family for a long time, and I joined 16 years ago.

"I am proud to see Luca on the crew, he’s grown up watching me go to training and the station, so was ready to join as soon as he turned 18. "

His son said being on call over Christmas was not too different from being on call the rest of the year, but the biggest difference was missing out on more time than usual with loved ones.

The RNLI said rescues made throughout the year were only made possible by the charity's supporters, who helped to fund essential kit, training and equipment.

It added its Christmas appeal would focus on the generations of families who had volunteered their time to the RNLI, such as the Gorvin and Sanders families.