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West Kirby RNLI lifeguards presented with esteemed award for gallant rescue

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI lifeguards from West Kirby have been given a prestigious award during a dedicated ceremony after they saved a man’s life in a gallant rescue which happened almost exactly a year ago on Hilbre Island.

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On Wednesday 8 June, Norman and Mike Proctor (who are father and son) and Tom Corlett were handed The Alison Saunders’ Lifeguarding Award – an annual award sponsored by retired RNLI deputy chairperson, Alison Saunders MBE, which recognises the most valiant and courageous rescues performed by the charity’s lifeguards.
The award was presented by RNLI Chairman Charles Hunter-Pease, who praised the lifeguards for their efforts: ‘The professionalism our lifeguards displayed during this service was second to none. Their alertness ensured a quick response to the incident and their teamwork with the lifeboat crews delivered a positive outcome.’

The rescue, which also involved volunteer lifeboat crews from West Kirby and Hoylake, happened during May bank holiday last year, just as the lifeguards on duty were doing a final sweep of the beach before heading home for the day.
 
RNLI Lifeguard Manager Peter Rooney recalled the day of the rescue and explained how the teamwork carried out by the lifeguards and volunteer crew from both stations saved this man’s life. ‘If it wasn’t for that final sweep of the beach, the man may not have been found. The quick thinking from the lifeguards and their decision to call on the lifeboats for help, combined with their casualty care skills was nothing short of outstanding.’
 
West Kirby and Hoylake volunteer crews showed tremendous skills even as the screams of the casualty could be heard over the boats engine noise. Adie Gregan, from West Kirby, took command of the scene and co-ordinated the rescue between the crew, lifeguards and Coastguard helicopter.
 
RNLI lifeguard Mike said: ‘My memory of the rescue is still really vivid. I spotted a man clinging to a rock in the water who looked like he was in serious pain. He was becoming weaker and weaker and his head kept slipping under the surface of the water.’
 
‘Dad jumped straight in to rescue the man, and then I went in to support the lower half of his body. The waves were crashing in to all three of us making it really difficult to stay afloat.’
 
In addition to receiving the Alison Saunders’ Lifeguarding Award, each lifeguard was given a share of £500 to be used to further their lifeguard training experience. Other commendable recognitions were given to the volunteer lifeboat crews from West Kirby and Hoylake as they stood up to receive a Letter of Commendation from the RNLI’s Operations Director.
 
After the ceremony, Charles Hunter-Pease was escorted by the lifeguards and lifeboat crew to the site of the rescue in a lifeguard patrol vehicle.
 
 
RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact
  • Alison Levett, RNLI Public Relations Manager for the North on 01287 619340 / 07786 668912 / [email protected] or
  • Clare Hopps, RNLI Public Relations Officer for the North on 01642 790636 / 07824 518641 / [email protected].
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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About the author

Sophie Coller-Nielsen
RNLI Press Officer, London

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