Volunteers from Chalkwell Lifeguards Club recently paid tribute to and celebrated the life of Sir David Amess MP.

Sir David was the MP for Southend West when he sadly lost his life in 2021. He was a regular visitor and supporter of Chalkwell Lifeguards Club.

Anthony Martin from Chalkwell Lifeguards, said “Sir David Amess MP was a regular smiling visitor to and supporter of Chalkwell Lifeguards Club, we have tried our best at the Club to continue to pay tribute to his life and endless wonderful achievements for so many people over so many years in our new city of Southend which he campaigned so hard to achieve over so many years."

Anna Firth MP, Councillor Nigel Folkard and Deputy Mayor of Southend Councillor Stephen Habermel visited the club to view their tribute to Sir David on the promenade. They were also able to watch RLSS UK Trainer Assessor, Simon Hatfield, deliver a beach lifeguard course in honour of Sir David.

The following day, the club delivered a Life Support first aid award, again in honour of Sir David, which was attended by his daughter Katie Amess and many of her friends, who all passed the lifesaving course and received an RLSS UK certificate.

The Amess family donated a painting which hung in Sir David’s MP office for many years to the club, which is now hanging above the main club house doors.  They commented “We would like to thank the Chalkwell Lifeguards for all they do – not just as lifeguards throughout the year but in keeping Sir David’s memory alive and providing the public with a space to come and honour him and pay their respects.  We would also like to thank all the local stores who kindly donate fresh flowers every week to the memorial.  It has touched us beyond words that people have been so generous and loving to us during this difficult time.  Sir David would be smiling down on the memorial and proud of Southend’s new City status.”

Visitors have been invited to visit the club house at Chalkwell Lifeguards Club to view the painting and also leave a message in the condolence book. Anthony Martin said “It's quite incredible to hear so many wonderful stories from so many people whose lives Sir David touched in such a lovely way, nothing was ever too much trouble for Sir David Amess MP, he was a one in a million politician and such a lovely kind man, we all miss him and wish that he was still with us.”

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