Tobermory RNLI mark double birthday at Westminster Abbey

Mother and son Christine and Rob MacDonald represented the station at the thanksgiving service alongside the Duke of Kent and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The latter’s predecessor attended the first meeting of the RNLI in the London Tavern on March 4 1824. 

When Rob joined the crew in 2005, Christine also decided to volunteer at the station. Rob is now a launch authority and Christine continues to volunteer in the shop. Between them they have given nearly 40 years of service to the charity which saves lives at sea.

Christine and Rob were celebrating another special day as Christine shares her birthday with the RNLI.

Christine and Rob were joined by Tobermory RNLI lifeboat operations manager Dr Sam Jones, who was also invited to the service through her involvement in the bicentenary planning in Scotland and attended the first workshop to prepare for ‘RNLI 200’ at Tower lifeboat station in September 2018.

Sam said: "Christine and Rob are absolute stalwarts of our lifeboat station and epitomise the volunteer ethos of the RNLI which has sustained the charity through two centuries. I am so glad they were able to be at what was an inspiring and poignant service at Westminster Abbey and to celebrate two special birthdays!"