That the Parliament congratulates Hewitt Clark, former coxswain for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), on winning the prestigious ITV This Morning Emergency Services Pride of Britain award in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the lifesaving charity; commends the former Lerwick Lifeboat Station crew member, now aged 79, for his 35-year service to the RNLI, during which he helped to save 319 lives and was awarded three bronze medals, one silver and a gold medal for gallantry, the RNLI’s highest recognition for bravery; recognises Hewitt Clark as one of three living lifesavers to have received the RNLI’s gold medal for gallantry; recalls his outstanding seamanship while rescuing the crew of the Green Lily in perilous conditions in 1997, later receiving the gold medal for gallantry; remembers winchman Bill Deacon, of the HM Coastguard helicopter, who tragically lost his life during the rescue of the Green Lily; highlights that, while retired, Hewitt Clark continues to help the Lerwick Lifeboat Station using his own boat as a casualty vessel in training exercises; acknowledges the important work of the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year, and commends RNLI lifeboat crews and beach lifeguards who, it understands, have collectively saved more than 146,000 lives since the charity was founded in 1824.
Supported by:
Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Alexander Burnett, Maggie Chapman, Foysol Choudhury, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Jackie Dunbar, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White