Jim,
I wrote to Neil Marson again and asked him for the e-mail addresses for both Michael Vlasto (RNLI Operations Manager) and Andrew Freemantle (RNLI Chief Executive and Secretary). This is Neils\' reply:-
\"Tony
I hope that my email clarified the situation, as it really is, and not what the RNLI\'s PR machine was putting out. I read the comments on your web-site, and I was moved by the level of support that your members are showing.
Please find below the email addresses for the following:-
Mike Vlasto
[email protected]
Andrew Freemantle
[email protected]
Could I also suggest that if your organisation feels strongly about the situation, that you write to the Chairman of the Trustees, Sir Jock Slater. organisations like yours, which donate funds to the RNLI are fundamental to enable it to continue to deliver the service that we expect, loss or threat of potential loss of such funding will focus RNLI\'s attention very quickly!!!.
I feel that the Trustees will have not being made fully aware of the strength of feelings on the North East Coast. And it is not to late for them to suspend their decision pending a full review of the offer made by PD Teesports.
The crew of Teesmouth Lifeboat have not given up on this, and I still strongly believe that the RNLI can safely do a \"U\" turn and in doing so would not be criticised for it.
His address is:
Sir Jock Slater
Chairman RNLI
RNLI Headquarters
West Quay Road
POOLE
Dorset
BH15 1HZ
Once again on behalf of the Station thank you for the support that you are giving to us.
Regards
Neil\"
I\'ll be writing to all 3.
Should anybody else feel the need to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, these days), then PLEASE DO SO.
As a group who have in the past raised quite a large amount for the RNLI both locally and nationally, we have a right to make our opinions known on their decision to close the station.......the more people who write letters of complaint, the louder our our voice on this issue.