Crash victim honoured after lifeboat legacy
A lifeboat has been officially named in honour of the Leeds woman whose generous legacy paid for the vessel.
Jacky Hunsley died in a tragic coach accident while on holiday in South Africa in September 1999.
The long-time supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) left the charity a share of her estate to support the lifeboat service in Redcar.
Ms Hunsley's sister, Pauline Jackson, was joined by her sister's family and friends, including former colleagues from BT in Leeds where Ms Hunsley worked, in Redcar on Saturday to name the lifeboat at a service of dedication.
Mrs Jackson said: "Jacky was a very special person and it's wonderful to know this lifeboat which bears her name is helping to save lives at sea."
Since the IB1 D-class lifeboat went into service at Redcar in August 2007, it has been involved in seven rescues.
Dave Cammish, Redcar RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said the lifeboat had already proved her worth.
He added: "Our new D class lifeboat is faster and more manoeuvrable than her predecessor and is a great asset to the RNLI's sea rescue operations on the north east coast.
"As a charity, the RNLI relies on the generosity of people like Jacky Hunsley to provide the lifeboats, equipment and training we need to carry on saving lives at sea."
As well as funding the 29,000 lifeboat, Ms Hunsley's legacy paid for an IT upgrade and crew training at Redcar for five years.
Redcar RNLI lifeboat station has a long-standing connection with the people of West Yorkshire.
From 1951 to 1965 the City of Leeds lifeboat, bought after a fundraising appeal in the city, was operational in Redcar, and in the late 19th century, the lifeboat Emma, named after Emma Dawson, of Weston Hall in Otley, was stationed in the town.
- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
