Community / Decorated former lifeboat coxswain nominated for Pride of Britain award
A SHETLANDER who helped save over 300 lives with the Lerwick lifeboat has been nominated for a Pride of Britain award.
Hewitt Clark, one of only three living recipients of the RNLI’s highest recognition for bravery, has been nominated for a This Morning Pride of Britain award for his work in the emergency services.
He was put forward on behalf of the RNLI, in recognition of the charity’s 200th anniversary.
During his 35 years of service as a mechanic and coxswain he was awarded both a gold, silver and three bronze medals for gallantry.
He played a pivotal part in the rescue of the Green Lily in November 1997, leading his Lerwick crew in the rescue of 15 people aboard the 3,000-ton cargo vessel.
HM Coastguard winchman Bill Deacon died during the incident.
Speaking of the rescue of the Green Lily, Clark said: “I was quite confident we could take that crew off but there is always the risk of things can go wrong, but if you don’t have confidence in yourself, then you’re in the wrong job.
“I wasn’t scared. The adrenaline has taken over. I was concerned that I couldn’t rescue the people.
“I was really proud to be able to do it, but we don’t do it for medals. We do it because that’s the job we chose to do.”
Overall Clark took part in 423 rescues, helping to save 319 lives.
He retired in 2000, but still helps the current Lerwick lifeboat station volunteers using his own boat as a casualty vessel in training exercises.
The winner of the award will be announced on ITV’s This Morning on Friday.
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