As part of the Mercury campaign to help Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service raise the money it needs to keep saving lives offshore and on the Broads, we will be getting to know the crew, who are all volunteers, who keep the service running not just out on the water but behind the scenes too.

This week we spoke to crew member, Mike Green.

Mike has been involved with the lifeboat for around a year, first getting involved to help out his village.

“I saw after the tidal surges in December 2013 that I had to do something to help in the local community,” said Mike.

“Seeing the adverts for crew in the Mercury, I decided to go along and see if I enjoyed it and could make a difference.”

And make a difference is what Mike did, having trained up and been made a full crew member.

“I’m now responsible for supporting the launch of either the broads or sea boat, I’m trained in flood rescue, and I need to be available for wherever or whenever I’m tasked by the coxswain to support the service.”

Mike, who lives in Hemsby now after spending seven years in Norwich and 21 years in Belton, enjoys the camaraderie of the lifeboat.

“They’re a great team of volunteers, throwing themselves into the service and we’re all massively proud to play a part in trying to help others,” said 45-year-old Mike.

“My most memorable call out has been the hardest, being called to support the emergency services in Norwich where unfortunately two local teenagers died after getting into difficulty in the water at Thorpe Wildlife Reserve.

“It’s difficult knowing that things cannot always turn out how we want them to.”

When he isn’t volunteering with the lifeboat, Mike is store manager at Sainsbury’s at the Longwater Business Park in Norwich.

He’s worked for the company for 26 years.

In the evenings he goes home to wife, Lisa, 42, and daughter Chloe, aged six.

“I want to say thank you to my wife and family for being patient with the hours I spend away from home training and volunteering,” Mike added. “And to Lisa for supporting me wholeheartedly, you’re a star.”

To find out more about Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service, or to put yourself forward as a volunteer, get in contact by calling 01493 731641 or emailing contact@hemsbyinshorerescue.org.uk