18/12/2021
For the past 20 Christmases, it has been the ‘norm’ for Lily Clark, 19, that her dad has been on lifeboat duty, his pager, keys, and ‘crocs’ ready if a call came through, and there have been times when his pager rang out, amid the family festivities.
This Christmas will be much the same, except Lily will have her pager switched on too, as she has followed in the family tradition and is now trainee crew. Lily came back from Uni for Christmas and went out on exercise with fellow volunteer crew members, Charlie and Tom plus a familiar face at the Helm.
Lily’s dad, Jon Clark grew up in a lifeboat family as a kid, sharing family time around the lifeboat and he has been on call every Christmas since he joined the crew, over 38 years.
Jon said: ’I am proud of Lily, it is a big commitment being a volunteer of the lifeboat crew, which she is very aware of, having grown up with it. She is also going to gain some great experience as trainee crew at Falmouth and I know she has the dedication, it’s in her DNA.’
Lily said: ‘I have some big boots to follow, my grandad was 2nd Coxswain, and my dad was Coxswain and now a helm, I have a lot to learn, but I have a great teacher.
‘I am incredibly fortunate to also be able to train at Falmouth Lifeboat station, where I am studying Marine Biology at Exeter University.
‘I have missed out on two years of training due to Covid, so I am ready to work hard and make up for the lost time.
‘I have always wanted to follow my dad on the lifeboat as it is our life, my mum is involved too, it's something very much ingrained in our family values, to help people and make a difference.
‘So, this Christmas will be hopefully a 'quiet' one at home.’
If you can, please donate to our festive fundraiser at the link below to help us save lives and to pay for the training and equipment to keep our volunteer crew, like Lily safe.
Thank you
https://www.facebook.com/donate/404295484737328/