Miss Evelyn Clague whose father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all been volunteer crew members with Douglas lifeboat presented Lifeboat Operations Manager, Mary Corran, with a cheque for ?300.
Displaying the RNLI flag on her garden wall, Miss Clague had raised the money by selling home grown vegetables from her garden to friends and neighbours.
There are boards on the walls of Douglas lifeboat station recording the various services carried out by its lifeboats and in conversation with Miss Clague, she pointed out a rescue on the 18 October 1881 when the Liverpool barque Lebu foundered off Douglas. Miss Clague’s great-grandfather William Joseph Clague had been the hero of the day when despite the lifeboat capsizing between the piers returning to harbour, he had been instrumental in saving nine lives.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with the RNLI as lifeboat crew, shore helper, or fundraiser should contact their nearest lifeboat station.
Photo - Douglas RNLI lifeboat Operations Manager, Mary Corran, receives the cheque from Miss Evelyn Clague.
