Chairwoman of Alderney RNLI Ladies Guild receives RNLI Gold Badge Award
Lifeboats News Release
Chris Hart who served for eight years as Chairwoman of the Alderney Branch of the Ladies Guild, has been awarded the prestigious RNLI Gold Badge Award.
A presentation was held on Friday 22nd July 2016 at the Alderney Sailing Club, at this ceremony Chris Hart was presented the award in recognition of her valuable support of the lifeboat service. The award was presentedby the President of the States of Alderney, Stuart Trought.
Chris volunteered for the Alderney RNLI from 2008 until 2015, however her involvement with the RNLI started in Rugby in 1982 when she enthusiastically enlisted as a member of her local branch of the RNLI. In 2004 she moved to Alderney and within three months of her arrival joined the RNLI Ladies Guild, subsequently in 2008 Chris took over the role of Chairwoman.
With Chris at the helm the Guild has raised the huge total of £59,900.83 from their various fund raising activities between 2008 and 2014.
Additionally in 2008 Chris started raising plants from seeds in her small greenhouse and selling them at her front gate, with all proceeds being donated to the RNLI.She sold these plants at various car boot sales, WI meetings and functions, and a number of Summer Fayres. By the end of 2014 she had singlehandedly raised £3,386.23 from plant sales alone.
In 2010 Chris was awarded the prestigious Silver Badge by the RNLI in recognition of her commitment and hard work.
At a leaving dinner on Tuesday 18th August 2015 the Ladies Guild bid farewell to Chris, who had decided to leave the island to be closer to her family.
Alderney RNLI Secretary Margaret Storer said:
“Chris has worked tirelessly over the last 33 years raising money on behalf of the RNLI and thoroughly deserves to receive this esteemed award. All the Members and Volunteers of Alderney RNLI Ladies Guild are absolutely delighted to have been able to share this special occasion with her.”
She continued: “Chris you have been amazing. You have grown plants, sourced games, bought prizes galore, baked hundreds of cakes, devised quizzes - the list is endless. Your enthusiasm, drive and determination for all things RNLI is outstanding and we will miss you.”
Whilst presenting the Award to Chris at the presentation on Friday the President of the States of Alderney, Stuart Trought said:
“Since 2008 when Chris became Chairman of the Guild she wholeheartedly threw herself into fund raising and during the eight years as voluntary Chairwoman she worked extremely hard at keeping the RNLI in the forefront by her regular articles in the local press relating to all things RNLI.”
He continued:“It is an honour to present Chris Hart with this prestigious RNLI Gold Badge Award.”
Notes to Editors
Image 01 - Chris Hart and her award - photo taken by Denise Martel
Image 02- Chris Hart and Stuart Trought - photo taken by Denise Martel
Media contacts
For more information please contact Joanna Parmentier, Assist Press Officer, Alderney RNLI, email. Joanna_parmentier@hotmail.com tel. 07911 723336
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
