Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers honoured for going the extra mile

The RNLI staged a major event at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, to 'recognise those who go the extra mile' in their roles as volunteer lifeboat crew and as fundraisers, enabling the charity to achieve its objective of saving lives at sea.

Volunteers throughout the south-west who received awards included Lyme Regis crew members Garry Gibbs and John Rickard, and fundraisers Sylvia Marler, Alan Vian and Ken Lavery.

Garry Gibbs, a Lyme Regis crew member for 30 years, who attended the event with his wife Alicia, said: 'It was good to see the RNLI not only recognising many hundreds of years of volunteering by supporters throughout the south-west region, but emphasising the sacrifices made by the families who make it possible for us to give up our time at home and at work.'

Sylvia Marler, 93, who has been fundraising for the RNLI in Lyme Regis for 30 years, was another award winner who attended the event in Dartmouth. During Lifeboat Week this year she helped with kite-making and assisted on the craft stall. She was also a volunteer in the lifeboat gift shop for many years.

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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Nick Marks, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Lyme Regis on 07568 187582, or [email protected], or

Kyle Reed, Regional Communications Manager, South West on 07786 668847, or [email protected], or

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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