MBE for Hunstanton RNLI volunteer

Victor Dade, a long-serving volunteer, recognised in the King's New Year Honours

Victor, who joined Hunstanton RNLI in 1979, is normally in a hi-vis and hat around the lifeboat station, but admits he may have to rethink his outfit when he goes to collect his honour.

"That's at the Palace so that'll be a suit job," he says, "So I'm guessing I'd better go buy one!"

The 64 year old signed up to volunteer at 17 years old, "The RNLI was just something I fancied joining, so I joined as a tractor driver.  

"A few weeks later, I ended up being crew on the D-Class and the boats that followed it and then flying the hovercraft after that came."

Victor, who now carries out shore duties and helps maintain the station's tractor and craft, says his most memorable rescue is, "The three girls we saved at Brancaster, that was a close one."

He flew the hovercraft which rescued twins Daisy and Molly Cole, then aged 13 and their 23-year-old sister Zoe after they became cut off by the tide in 2013.

The girls' mum Stacey O'Donnell, who ran a London Marathon to raise funds for the RNLI, said she would have lost her entire family that day were it not for the crew.

The sisters came to the station in 2024 to see Victor. From left: Daisy Cole, Victor, Molly and Zoe

Having volunteered now for 46 years he adds, "I'm hoping to keep going until I've done my 50 years, I'll hopefully have reached the age of 70 by then.

"I just enjoy being part of it, I like the people, I like mingling with the crew."

Victor was one of six RNLI volunteers included in the King's New Year Honours List.

Peter Sparkes, the charity's chief executive, says, "My sincere congratulations to these six worthy volunteers and their families."

Images RNLI/Chris Bishop