Exmouth RNLI celebrates retirement of longest serving volunteer

The volunteers of Exmouth RNLI have said farewell to their longest serving volunteer, Jill Carter, as she has retired from her role in the Exmouth RNLI shop after an incredible 32 years.

Jill joined Exmouth RNLI in July 1993, just a couple of weeks after retiring from her lifelong career as a teacher. Jill, 92, has decided that now is the right time to hang up her RNLI uniform and take things a little easier!

Jill was born in Richmond, Yorkshire, but moved around the country many times as a child with her family. On leaving school, Jill decided to go into teaching – a career that she continued to follow all her working life. Jill bought a house in Exmouth in 1981 to be near her mother who was living in Exeter. Initially her time was split between her Exmouth home and the boarding school where she was still teaching, but Jill settled in Exmouth permanently when she retired in 1993.

Jill had been a lifelong supporter of the RNLI all her life, with many relatives in the Royal Navy and, therefore, a strong connection to the sea. Even before she decided to live in Exmouth, she would always come to the Exmouth RNLI shop at the former lifeboat station, now the Exmouth Rowing Club, to buy gifts for her nieces and nephews. Following her permanent move here on her retirement from teaching in July 1993, Jill decided that there was only one way that she wanted to fill her time, and the rest, as they say, is history! Joining as a shop volunteer in July 1993, Jill has never looked back.

Gemma Baker, RNLI Retail Lead for the South West, said, “Jill has been a dedicated shop volunteer for Exmouth RNLI for almost 33 years. Throughout this time, she has given a weekly shift and has always been ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed. In the last five years alone, the Exmouth shop has brought in close to a million pounds—thanks to incredible volunteers like Jill. The RNLI couldn’t do what we do without her, so a massive thank you!”  

Yesterday, Jill’s Exmouth RNLI shop colleagues surprised her with a retirement send-off and presentation at the end of her final volunteering shift. Whilst sharing some mulled wine and delicious cakes, Alison Gall, Exmouth RNLI Shop Manager, made a presentation of several gifts to Jill on behalf of all the volunteers of Exmouth RNLI, including a RNLI paperweight crafted from the historic flagpole from RNLI Isle of Man, home of the charity’s founder, Sir William Hillary.

When asked about her thoughts on Jill’s achievements, Alison said, “Jill Carter has given nearly 33 years of volunteering to Exmouth RNLI. During her time working weekly on her regular shift, she has always been keen to fill in and do extra shifts when needed. Jill has been a great support to myself, sharing her wisdom and experience with many others over the years. In earlier years, Jill also helped with fundraising events and outside events for the RNLI. What a wonderful ambassador for the RNLI she is!”