by Sam Hawcroft
Withernsea RNLI has once again decided to hand back the £1,000 donation it was offered following this year’s Blue Light Weekend.
The festival, held in memory of former lifeboat operations manager Steve Medcalf, has donated thousands of pounds to charities and organisations over the past three years, including Hornsea Inshore Rescue and Yorkshire Air Ambulance, as well as the RNLI.
But current operations manager Darren Hickey said the station wanted the money to remain with the event.
He said: “We’re grateful for the donation. For us to be able to support such a great event as Blue Light Weekend is something we feel very strongly about. It is such an amazing weekend and we cannot thank the Blue Light volunteers enough for providing it.
“But we have decided not to accept the kind donation as we believe this money should stay with Blue Light Weekend to help for next year. We are not missing out, as our publicity from the event is huge for us.”
Blue Light Weekend co-director Andy Medcalf, Steve’s brother, said the gesture meant a great deal.
He said: “The Blue Light Weekend is run in memory of my brother Steve, who gave so much of his life to the RNLI here in Withernsea.
“For the crew to hand back their donation again this year shows just how much the event means to them as well.
“Their support, both on the seafront and behind the scenes, is invaluable and we’re proud to have them as part of the Blue Light Weekend family.”