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Sad news

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I’m afraid we have had some very sad news – following a short period of illness Terry Fitzgerald a former president of the Sussex Branch passed away in the early hours of Monday morning 7th December 2020.


Terry has been an active member of our Branch and with Hastings Voluntary Lifeguards for over 30 years. Recently Terry has been inspiring the next generation of lifesavers by teaching the Rookie and Survive and Save group. Terry always had a ‘story’ and ‘words of wisdom’ for them keeping them focused on the task in hand. Being an experienced swimming teacher too he would improve their swimming strokes often without them realising. It is a testimony to him that before coronavirus prevented us meeting the group had increased in size and these young people kept coming back.


Terry also used to help to train and assess beach lifeguards, open water awards and encourage participation in competitions. Terry was a lifesaving competitor himself but also committed time to Hastings Voluntary Lifeguards’ committee as a member, chair and president.
He shared all his knowledge, experience and skills to gift people with life skills. We know some have used these skills to help others.

RIP Terry – you won’t be forgotten.

A tribute from Hastings Voluntary Lifeguards

Terry (centre), pictured with Doug Simmonds, RLSS UK Sussex Branch Chair (left) and Paul Heskett, Hastings Voluntary Lifeguards President (right).