A SELFLESS widow who left her entire estate to charity has funded a new lifeboat after naming the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as the sole beneficiary in her will.
Audrey Deakin lived in Allesley until her death in April 2015. She lived there with her husband Dennis Deakin who sadly passed away in September 1991.
The couple enjoyed holidays by the sea, and were impressed by the work of RNLI volunteers and loved the idea of having a lifeboat named after them as part of their legacy.
The RNLI chose Wicklow Lifeboat Station in Ireland to receive a new lifeboat, which was officially handed over by Mrs Deakin’s solicitor to RNLI Irish chairman David Delamer at a naming ceremony and service of dedication last month.
Des Davitt, Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat operations manager, said: “Every rescue is powered by our generous supporters, people like Dennis and Audrey.
“Their kind and selfless gift will help ensure we in Wicklow are ready for the next call, wherever and whenever it comes. For that, the RNLI and everyone at Wicklow lifeboat station will be forever grateful to them.”
The new D class lifeboat, named the Dennis-Audrey, can operate closer to shore and is ideal for working in shallow waters, near rocks and cliffs, inside caves and can be righted by crew if it capsizes.
Audrey’s solicitor Michelle Gavin, from Band Hatton Button, added: “I’m delighted Audrey’s legacy has been put to such good use.
“I was honoured to attend the naming ceremony. I was also really pleased, as I am sure Audrey would have been, to hear that the lifeboat has already been called into action when the Coast Guard reported a casualty who had fallen from the quayside onto the Strand beach while cycling at Wicklow Harbour.”
