PEMBROKE Ladies Lifeboat Guild recently celebrated the unique continued service of a member whose family has been involved with the RNLI for decades.

Kath Klau, Guild Vice President, has been fundraising for the charity as souvenir secretary since 1997, but her family has been involved with the RNLI since 1931.

Kath's great-grandfather left instruction in his will that after his wife’s days, any station needing a lifeboat could benefit from his estate.

As Lifeboat prices have increased, the donation for a lifeboat had to be subsidised by his children.

In 1931 the family donated one of the first new self-righting motor Royal National Lifeboats.

The RNLB Louisa Polden was named and accepted at the customary ceremony in that year by the RNLI at Redcar Lifeboat Station. The Louisa Polden served the Redcar Lifeboat Station for 20 years.

Kath’s loyalty and success in the charity’s fundraising were recognised by the RNLI in 2001 with a bronze badge and then in 2011 with a Silver badge.

Kath still maintains connections with Redcar Lifeboat Guild, also visiting the area, where her grandparent’s name has not been forgotten.

Kath’s late mother, Kay Humber, carried on supporting the RNLI, as many local people will remember, which is where it all started for Kath as soon as she was old enough.

A lifeboat guild spokesperson said: “I shall conclude by saying an immense heartfelt thank you to Kath, her team and her late family, on behalf of the RNLI. You can be really proud to have inherited such enthusiasm.”