Sidmouth Lifeboat form guard of honour in memory of ‘instrumental’ lifelong supporter
Tributes have been paid to former company secretary Philip Churchill (left), who is pictured with Kitrina Bishop, Phil Shepperd, John Fowler from Sidmouth Lifeboat. - Credit: Archant
Sidmouth Lifeboat has paid its respects to a lifelong supporter who was ‘instrumental’ in revolutionising its finances.
The charity provided a guard of honour in memory of Philip Churchill at his funeral.
Philip joined the lifeboat’s board of trustees as company secretary in 2003, at a time when the charity’s finances were at a ‘pretty low ebb’.
The businessman used his expertise and ‘considerable charm’ to steer the finances and raise funds to refurbish the boathouse, purchase and commission a new lifeboat and install a launch tractor.
John Fowler, chairman of the trustees, said; “Philip was a man to whom the lifeboat owed a great deal, but was also held in great affection by all who knew him.”
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Philip was a member of the board of trustees for 11 years, hosting meetings at his house.
Ian Fletcher, from the lifeboat, said: “By the time he retired, through ill-health, Sidmouth lifeboat was on a sound financial footing, able to pay for it’s annual outgoing expenses, and putting away regular sums into investments.”
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