People Features

It's a difficult enough job, rushing to get to sea, without having your lifeboat on the other side of a Marina from your base.

But, thanks to Mrs White, Sunderland RNLI's Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Wolseley, now has a new home. Right next door.

Wolseley hoisted into place.

The former Northumbria Police Marine Unit has been refurbished with some of the money from the bequest so that the 8.3 metre inshore lifeboat can fit inside.

The project cost roughly £250,000 and means the lifeboat can now be launched directly into the water from the base. Having the boat inside will also make repairing and maintaining the boat easier, safer...and drier.

The Lifeboat Operations Manager, Captain Peter Mitchell, says: "This new facility will provide us with a much better environment for the lifeboat."

Warm and dry. For now.

"We will also be able to open the station to the general public which will give them the chance to take a close look at the lifeboat and its equipment."

He says: "It is a very fitting memorial for both Ella and Charles."

Isabella Fisher Hancock White, lived in South Shields with her late husband, Charles, who worked at sea as an engineer and marine surveyor, before moving to Lloyds Registry of Shipping in his later years.

Her close connections to the local RNLI branch prompted her to leave most of her estate to the charity for use specifically in the area close to her home.

"I'm sure she would be delighted that her legacy has provided the RNLI with something so significant that will benefit sea users in the North East for many years to come."

The rest of Mrs White's money will be split between Sunderland and Tynemouth lifeboat stations to pay for general running costs.

Sunderland Senior Helmsman, Paul Nicholson, says: "As a charity which relies 100% on voluntary contributions for income we are very grateful to people like the late Mrs White for leaving donations to the RNLI in their wills."

Bequests pay for six out of every ten lifeboat launches. The annual running costs of the RNLI's 230 lifeboat stations are over £122 million. That's approximately £335,000 a day.