Saving lives with RNLI 'meant everything to me'

A former volunteer lifeboatman has been honoured with a Long Service Award after clocking up more than 30 years with the RNLI.

Richard Kirk, who joined Cromer RNLI in north Norfolk at the age of 19, said he was "instantly gripped" after watching an emergency boat launch with his father in 1989.

He has worked in almost every role within the team in that time, including navigator, head launcher and shore crew - and is credited with his involvement in saving the lives of 27 people.

"The lifeboat station was my second family," he said. "It meant everything to me. From the moment I started coming down as a kid, I felt part of something special."

"It's nice to know those 27 people are hopefully still with us today, you are never going to top people like Henry Blogg."

Blogg, a Cromer fisherman who died in 1954, was the most decorated lifeboatman in RNLI history for leading a number of lifesaving rescues - and is widely commemorated locally.

"I've never ever not felt safe on a lifeboat," he said.

"I've been in some rough weather on the boat and I've never ever not felt safe... everything I've done from exercises to launching to lifeboat days, I'll never forget them."

Kirk stepped away from his lifeboat career in November 2023 to pursue other opportunities, but said the service has been worth it.

"We've always been strong, we've always been close knit," he said.

"When I first joined in 1990, the whole crew was just fishermen. Now it's all walks of life who come through the door.

"The rewards of saving someone's life or just being there, you'll learn lots of new skills, it's worth doing, definitely."

John Redmond, lifeboat operations manager at Cromer RNLI, said: "Richard's dedication to Cromer Lifeboat Station over so many years has been exceptional.

"He has carried out a wide range of demanding roles with skill, reliability and passion and his commitment has made a real difference.

"We are hugely grateful for everything he has given to the station and the RNLI."

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