New Mayor of Skegness awards teenage fundraiser and RNLI volunteer
Teenager Summer Willets has been presented the Community Award by the new Mayor of Skegness Coun Adrian Findley. This was one of two awards the Mayor presented - the other being the Honorary Citizen Award to Trevor Holland.
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00:00It is with great pleasure, as a newly elected Mayor, that I have the privilege of presenting the Council Awards.
00:05This evening, I will be presenting two awards.
00:09The first is the Community Award to Summer Willips.
00:14She has been involved in raising over £36,000 to include children's charities,
00:19Linkshire Wildlife Park, Natureland, the Firefighters' Charity,
00:24Ingerdals Foodbank, the Village Church Farm Museum, Alive and Kicking,
00:30Ukraine Appeal, Dementia UK, the Redcliffe Donkey Sanctuary and Children in Need.
00:37She has also helped raise money in the Seafloor Primary Academy
00:41and for the Music Department at Skipness Grammar School.
00:45There are many other events and charities that she has continued to support over the past five years.
00:52This is only the second time this award has been made
00:56and is given for outstanding service to Skipness residents.
01:01I am sure you will all agree that Summer is a very worthy recipient and is a role model for all of us.
01:10Willips, if you would like to come forward.
01:21Would you like to say a few words?
01:23Yeah?
01:28I would like to say thank you to all the friends and family who support me and continue to support me.
01:35Thank you.
01:39Thank you.
01:57The second award this evening is the Honoured Citizen Award.
02:01This is for Trevor Holland.
02:04Trevor's lifelong commitment to the Skipness Liveboat Station is a story that spans decades.
02:12An intergenerational urban family legacy and an unwavering dedication to the sea.
02:25His life has been entwined with the Royal National Liveboat Institution,
02:32a relationship that began in the early 1960s and continues today.
02:37Trevor's service at the Skipness Liveboat Station has seen him involved in numerous rescues and service launches,
02:45each unique and challenging in its own way.
02:48In 1987, Trevor found an exceptional way to combine his artistic talent with a commitment to the art of life.
02:58He became a professional artist painting war game model soldiers,
03:02a job that allowed him to continue serving at the Liveboat Station.
03:07Over time, he expanded his role from being a launcher to driving the tailors.
03:13Is that correct? Tailors?
03:17Eventually becoming the head launcher with a new shallow launch and recovery system.
03:24Despite the changes, challenges and sacrifices, Trevor Holland's commitment to Skipness RNLI Liveboat Station remains unshaken.
03:32As the 200th anniversary of the formation of the RNLI approaches,
03:38he continues to serve with the same passion and dedication that he has been and will more of his long-standing service.
03:47His story inspires at the Station, reminding everyone of the importance and commitment, respect for nature and the value of our community.
03:56Honoured Citizen is the Council's highest honour.
04:01As you can see from the board on the wall, over the past 50 years, the Honoured Citizen award is only made occasionally.
04:09Trevor, if you'd like to come up and please accept your award.
04:16Thank you very much.
04:23Would you like to say a few words?
04:36Good evening everybody. Thank you very much for those who have come to see me.
04:44I just have a few words to say. I won't take too long.
04:49I'd like to thank the Mayor and the Town Council for granting me this honour.
04:57As a person born and bred in Skipness, this means a tremendous amount to me.
05:03I join the list of esteemed names that those have gone before me, most of whom I know or knew.
05:11The recognition and service to Skipness Lighthouse Station is quite apt, this year being the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Royal National Lighthouse Institution.
05:25Skipness Lighthouse has always operated with the support of the townspeople and the Council.
05:31Indeed, over the years, several Councillors have served as crew.
05:35Names such as Terry Holland, who's on the board of us there, Michael Clarke, Billy Brooks, to name but a few.
05:43I'll quickly like to thank my wife Paula, who has put up with me suddenly disappearing for hours on end at the most inopportune moments.
05:52All my colleagues and friends at Skipness Lighthouse Station, both past and present, who have supported me over the years in our ongoing team efforts of saving the light at sea.
06:05I thank you all. Thank you.