A former professional opera singer who has raised more than £10,000 for the RNLI by busking on the Yorkshire Coast has been honoured with a special certificate of thanks.
More than £10,000 will help save lives at sea after an opera-singing busker took to the streets of the Yorkshire Coast to share his vocal talents.
James Hutton has been delighting locals and visitors in Robin Hood's Bay and Staithes with his classical performances, collecting vital funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in the process.
A special Certificate of Thanks has now been awarded to the dedicated fundraiser to recognise his significant financial contribution to the maritime charity.
The musical journey on the coast began after James and his wife, Jane, purchased a holiday cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay during the 1990s. Over the years, the couple forged strong friendships with members of the local community. Among these friends were Jim and Carol Foster, who are active and dedicated fundraisers for the Robin Hood’s Bay branch of the RNLI.
It was through these local connections that the idea of singing for the lifeboat charity was born. Jim Foster explained how the unique fundraising initiative came about.
Jim Foster said:
'James is a trained opera singer, and although he no longer sings professionally he does like to keep his voice in trim. When at Haworth, to exercise his voice, he had busked for a variety of charities, and having moved to the coast he took little persuading to busk for the RNLI.'
Armed with an official RNLI collecting bucket, the former professional singer has become a familiar and popular sight in the coastal villages. To modernise the collection process, Robin Hood's Bay branch treasurer Darren Marshall also provided a custom T-shirt printed with a QR code, allowing passers-by to make digital donations while enjoying the music.
The majority of the impressive fundraising total has been collected in Robin Hood's Bay, where generous donations from audiences have surpassed the £8,000 mark. Meanwhile, occasional performances further up the coast in Staithes, where the singer is supported by Colin Harrison, have brought in an additional sum of more than £2,000.
Reflecting on the achievement and the impact of the donations, Jim Foster praised the singer's dedication to the cause.
Jim Foster added:
'We are very proud of James's unique and individual contribution to RNLI funds, which now total well over £10,000 (£8000+ in Robin Hood's Bay, £2000+ in Staithes).'
The official recognition of this milestone took place at the Hotel Victoria on Monday, 14 September. The special presentation saw Whitby RNLI Museum curator and Whitby Lifeboat Station Launch Authority, Neil Williamson, hand over the official certificate. The document bears the signature of the lifeboat charity's Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes, marking the high level of appreciation from the institution.
Following the presentation event, Neil Williamson expressed his gratitude on behalf of the lifesaving organisation.
Neil Williamson said:
'It was an honour to present James with his certificate of thanks, he has contributed a significant amount to the RNLI and we are extremely grateful.'
The appreciation for the fundraising efforts will continue beyond the certificate presentation. A personal guided tour of Whitby Lifeboat Station has also been arranged for James and Jane. During this special visit, the couple will get an up-close look at the current lifeboat, the Lois-Ivan, serving as a further token of thanks for their outstanding and ongoing support of the charity's lifesaving work.
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