This is the moment little Finley Thomas Michael was christened on a lifeboat at an RNLI organisation where his dad helps to save lives at sea.
Michael Brown is a volunteer crewman with the Tynemouth RNLI. When his first child Harry, now five, was born, he and his wife Laura decided to have his christening on a lifeboat in April 2018. Now, their second child Finley, two, has been christened in the same way.
The ceremony took place aboard the stationary Severn class all-weather lifeboat Osier on Sunday afternoon, led by Rev Malcolm Hal, of Christchurch, North Shields. Proud parents Laura, 36, and Michael, 39, watched on, alongside family, friends and lifeboat crew members.
Read More: Birtley mum 'in tears' over McDonald's worker's 'outstanding' kindness to autistic daughter
The tradition of christening the children of lifeboat crew members at lifeboat stations goes back over two hundred years and is said to bring good luck to the child. The christening font normally found in a church ceremony is replaced by the upturned ship's bell from the lifeboat, held on this occasion by volunteer second coxswain David Robinson.
Michael, an IT consultant when not saving lives at sea, said: "I'm following in my own grandfather’s footsteps as a volunteer lifeboat crewman. My mother was a fundraiser for the RNLI and I'd like to think Finley, as well as Harry will also become a volunteer."
RNLI volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the coast. The group is independent of coastguard and government, and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its service.
Read Next:
-
North Tyneside family celebrates five generations of girls after birth of new baby
-
Gateshead dance instructor celebrates incredible 60 years of teaching
-
Wellbeing dogs bring morale boost to NHS staff working on emergency frontline
-
Professor Chris Whitty awarded honorary doctorate by Northumbria University
-
All Runs Club member to carry Queen's Baton through Gateshead for charity
