By Karen Cox
Yesterday (29 April) Ramsgate RNLI station came together with representatives of the flank stations to say farewell to the Chair of Thanet Fundraisers Sarah Hewes.
It was credit to Sarah’s enthusiasm and passion for all things RNLI that so many attended, with fundraisers and crew from Walmer Lifeboat, volunteer RNLI shop staff from Dover, shop volunteers and crew from Margate and volunteers from Thanet fundraising in attendance. Past colleagues from Leicester joined as well.
An honour guard of 20 Ramsgate RNLI crew, past and present lined the aisle of the crematorium as the coffin draped with the RNLI flag, was carried down with three wreaths on top, one from Ramsgate RNLI, one from Margate RNLI and one from the South East Engagement Team.
Father John Chater led the packed congregation through a service of remembrance, with a candle of Hope being lit by Eric Burton, Chairman of the Ramsgate Lifeboat Management Team.
A eulogy written by Volunteer Press Officer Karen Cox was read out focusing on Sarah’s many hobbies, including lighthouses and of Sarah’s wish to climb the Happisborough Lighthouse having visited it as a child.
Sadly she never achieved that dream but notice of her death was posted in the Friends of Happisborough Lighthouse magazine.
The Hymn ‘Eternal Father Strong to Save ‘ by William Whiting was sung, and the extra verse written by Richard MacDonald for the RNLI 200th Anniversary Service at Westminster Abbey was included.
After the service the Margate RNLI wreath was given to her colleagues from Leicester to take it back to the Church where she used to worship. The other wreaths were taken to the wake which was held at the Royal Temple Yacht Club and then brought back to Ramsgate Lifeboat Station.
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