Two Hartlepool lifesavers with combined 50 years service have been honoured for their dedication to the RNLI

Hartlepool RNLI chairman Malcolm Cook has been awarded his 30 years long service award while colunteer crewmember Kenny Hay has been presented his 20 years long service award.

Hartlepool RNLI chairman Malcolm Cook has been awarded his 30 years long service award while volunteer crew member Kenny Hay has been presented his 20 years long service award.

Malcolm, 72, says his first loves are his wife Marjorie, daughters Sue and Helen, and three grandchildren but his second love is all things maritime, with lifeboats top of the list.

He was fascinated by lifeboats as a child, watching them launch from Middleton after hearing the maroon go off.

Hartlepool RNLI chairman Malcolm Cook pictured with his long service award. Picture by Tom Collins/RNLI

Malcolm said: “I still have a great sense of pride seeing the boats and volunteer crew members launch today knowing they are heading out to sea to help someone in trouble.

“But just as important as the crew are our Enterprise Branch fundraising team whose efforts support the volunteer crew members and I must thank the people of Hartlepool and surrounding areas who over the years have been very generous when it comes to making donations to the lifeboat and playing their part in saving lives at sea.”

Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Chris Hornsey said: “Malcolm's dedication to the charity over the past 30 years is outstanding and we are delighted for his award which is well deserved.”

Kenny, affectionately known to his crew members as ‘Barbie’, is an inshore lifeboat helm and all weather lifeboat mechanic at the Ferry Road lifeboat station.

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer Ken Hay pictured with his long service award. Picture by Tom Collins/RNLI

The 40-year-old Tesco maintenance technician said: “The 20 years have absolutely flown by and have had lots of memorable moments over the years but just being part of the lifeboat crew here is what it's all about.

“My story with the RNLI began when I was going out for a Chinese takeaway with my mate Will Hornsey who was on the lifeboat crew at the time and his pager went off so I was able to watch the lifeboat launch and from that moment I thought it was about time I gave a bit back to the community.”

Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Robbie Maiden said: “Kenny has become an integral part of the team and has also become a valuable mentor.

“I do remember we had a slight problem when Kenny first joined. Kenny joined when another Kenny joined so to avoid confusion we nicknamed Kenny 'Barbie' as in 'Ken and Barbie'.”