Cornish couple awarded medal for 37 years of RNLI fundraising

The couple attended RNLI events for years with their model boat collection

A couple have been awarded medals from the RNLI to honour them for 37 years of fundraising.

Mick and Margaret French were presented with long service medals by Falmouth RNLI coxswain Jonathon Blakeston.

Mr French, who became interested in lifeboats while growing up in St Ives, started his fundraising efforts after becoming involved in a model boat club.

His "fundraising began in earnest" at that point and then became part of his life, he said.

"Thirty-seven years of fundraising is a fantastic achievement and I am pleased that they have both been recognised in this way for their service," Mr Blakeston said.

Mr French said he would estimate he has raised about £30,000 over the last ten years.

Mr French explained that he would spend school holidays down at St Ives harbour.

"And when the lifeboat rockets went off, I was more often than not there to see the lifeboat being launched," he continued.

"On lifeboat days, I was always in the queue to have a trip on the lifeboat round the bay, twice if I was lucky.

"On flag days, I always gave something in exchange for the lifeboat pin, and always wore it."

'Support of Margaret'

But it was when he joined Falmouth Model Boat Club that he stepped up his fundraising efforts.

"I started my collection of model lifeboats and displayed them at various events and fundraising began in earnest," he said.

At the peak of activities he attended about 20 events a year with his collection across the country.

"None of this could have been possible without the input and support of my dear wife Margaret, who drives me to all these events, as I don't drive," Mr French added.

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