Volunteers who keep a watchful eye on Britain’s coastline have achieved gold medallist backing today.
Olympic rowing champion Katherine Grainger CBE has agreed to become a Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) and will be helping to raise their profile later this year after her studies are complete.
NCI is a voluntary organisation set up in 1994 to restore a visual watch along UK shores following the closure of many small coastguard stations.
The charity now runs 49 lookout stations, with more under negotiation, manned by more than 2,000 volunteers at no cost to the public purse.
Alan Richards, Chairman of NCI, said: ‘We are both honoured and delighted that Katherine Grainger has agreed to become a Patron of NCI and I very much look forward to her involvement with, and support for, the charity as we approach our 20th anniversary in 2014 and continue to grow as a partner in the UK Search and Rescue organisation.’
Katherine Grainger said: ‘I am delighted to become a Patron of NCI. I knew only a little about the work that it undertakes and have really enjoyed learning more about the organisation and everything it achieves.
‘So many people willingly give up their time to do tasks about which the public are either unaware or undervalue and, if I can help in any way to promote their valuable work, I shall be more than happy to do so.’
Katherine Grainger CBE joins Sir Christopher Coville KCB who became a Patron of NCI in May 2011.
For further information please contact:
Richard Hews,
National Public Relations Officer, NCI
07774108186
Note To Editors
NCI is a voluntary organisation set up in 1994 to restore a visual watch along UK shores following the closure of many small coastguard stations. 49 lookout stations are now operational, with more under negotiation, manned by over 2,000 volunteers at no cost to the public purse.
For more information on the work of the NCI please visit www.nci.org.uk