History of the Coastguard Association

The founder branch of the Association was the Isle of Man Branch in 1974 and was formed by the Chief Coastguard at the time, the late John Douglas.

The aims were defined as follows: - The CGA was formed to, according to the Trust Deed, to “further the efficiency of the Coastguard service for the public benefit by the relief of serving and retired Regular and Auxiliary Coastguards and their widows and dependents who are suffering from real hardship and distress or illness, ill-health or injury”.  

The National Committee Charity was bestowed upon the Association on the 15th of January 1980. To date although the Charity is not rich has brought welcome relief not only to individuals but also to families of seafarers injured or lost at sea. Even when monetary help is not required it is always a comfort to know that as a member the Association you can turn and find friendship and sympathy in times of stress. 

In 2008, the CGA has over 30 branches around the coast some dating from 1974 whilst others are very new. We have lost  some branches over the years but this has been matched by the formation of new branches, the newest branch to join the charity is from Jersey.

We do not receive any Government or business grants, and depend entirely on voluntary donations. The Fund also has the advantage of the Treasurer being a retired bank manager and a member of Central branch. The Fund is subject to a full annual audit from the Charity Commissioners. We also present a full financial report at our Annual General Meeting each year, held during the month of April, to which all are welcome. The Trustees are all volunteers, which keep our administrative expenditure low compared to other charities. The chairman Stuart Arundel is an ex deputy Station officer at Donna Nook Coastguard: the national secretary Lucia Firman is an ops room Coastguard and the Vice Chairman is a Coastguard rescue officer from Easington so still able to communicate to those who need assistance.

Many of the circumstances in which we have been asked to help are very personal and sensitive so details remain totally confidential, but some of the situations in which where help has been given include:

• Assisted a young family during hospitalisation of mother.
• Assisted family with expenses back and forth for hospital visits.
• Flowers sent to members in hospitals and to homes.
• Helped pay for repairs and decoration to home of elderly widow.
• Financed an Orthopedic mattress for a couple in need.
• Payment for a downstairs toilet and heating for an elderly widow.
• Electric scooter for a Serving Coastguard Officer with cancer.
• Financial aid to assist buying an automatic car for serving officer’s wife suffering from cancer.
• Financial aid to wife of a serving officer suffering from cancer for hotel accommodation at nearby hospital.
• Paid funeral expenses for young widow of Auxiliary Coastguard.

There are many other cases over the past thirty-nine years and we hope with your help we will be able to assist many more over the coming years.

The CGA has the full support and blessing of the  Maritime and Coastguard Agency