Skegness RNLI crew member gets highest award

Trevor Holland began working with the RNLI in the early 1960s

A member of the RNLI Skegness lifeboat crew has received the highest award by the town council.

Trevor Holland was made an Honorary Citizen on 8 May at a council meeting.

Mr Holland is carrying on a family legacy after his late father, Ken Holland, was previously given the title.

Born and bred in Skegness, Mr Holland said the award "means a tremendous amount to me".

Skegness Town Council has given out 16 of the awards since it first recognised residents for their dedication to the town in the 1970s.

He is the third member of the Skegness crew to have been granted the position.

Mr Holland's late father Ken was involved with RNLI as well as being a former mayor of Skegness

The RNLI, which will be celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, described Mr Holland as having an "unwavering dedication to the sea", after he first became involved with the institution in the early 1960s.

He is one of the station's head launchers, launch vehicle drivers and deputy launching authorities.

Councillor Danny Brooks said: "The honours' committee and full council agreed to put forward Trevor Holland for the award to celebrate the inspirational efforts he has achieved."

Mr Holland added: "I join the list of esteemed names of those who have gone before, most of whom I know or knew.

• 200 years of the RNLI

"I would quickly like to thank my wife, Paula, who has put up with me disappearing for hours on end at the most inopportune of moments."

Mr Holland also thanked his friends and colleagues at Skegness Lifeboat Station, both past and present, and the mayor and town council for giving him the award.

He shared his father Ken's advice to "never turn your back on the sea".

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