A STAITHES RNLI lifeboat volunteer is to be awarded the institution's Bronze Badge for his fund-raising efforts over the last decade.
David Manship, a volunteer shore-helper and until recently, fund-raising chairman at the Staithes station, received a letter from the RNLI's chief executive, Paul Boissier, informing him of the award.
Mr Manship has been a tractor driver at the li
feboat station for 20 years and was recently presented with a long service badge for his tireless voluntary service.
He has also been a key fund-raiser for the past 12 years, becoming fund-raising chairman in 2005.
The letter, from Mr Boissier, stated: "I am very pleased to tell you that as part of the Institution's 2010 awards, the council has decided to award you the Bronze Badge in recognition of your very valuable service with the Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat Management Group."
Mr Manship told the Whitby Gazette: "I am extremely proud the RNLI has decided to award me the Bronze Badge for the fund-raising I have been involved with over the years.
"It was almost a full time job to keep the money coming in but I couldn't have done it without the help of the lifeboat crew and the many other people who have an involvement with the station.
"Our annual lifeboat weekend was always the main event on the fund-raising calendar, hard work to organise but worth it to have such a special event in the village."
Lee Jackson, a helmsman and the press officer for Staithes lifeboat, added: "Dave's efforts at fund-raising and leading the fund-raising team have meant the Staithes Lifeboat station has been able to run financially self sufficient over recent years.
"What it has cost to run the station is the amount that has been raised, about £40,000 per year.
"We are all really pleased that Dave's hard work has been recognised with the award of the Bronze Badge."
Dave stepped down as fund-raising chairman at the end of last year but continues to be a volunteer tractor driver for the station.
