Honour for dedicated West Midlands RNLI volunteers
Honour for dedicated West Midlands RNLI volunteers
Lifeboats News Release
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers from the West Midlands were among more than 40 dedicated supporters of the lifesaving charity honoured at its regional awards ceremony at Stanbrook Abbey, Worcester on Wednesday 22 June.
The awards were presented by RNLI Chairman Charles Hunter-Pease, who praised the dedication and commitment of the charity’s volunteers.
The ceremony was a proud occasion for Patricia Southall of the Hall Green & Acocks Green RNLI branch, who was made an Honorary Life Governor.
Patricia is an astute fundraiser who has ensured the success of countless fundraising events with her determination and resolve.With over 40 years’ experience at both Edgbaston and Harbourne Fundraising Branch and Hall Green Fundraising Branch, Patricia was offered sincere thanks for her commitment to the RNLI.
Receiving a Bar to the Gold Badge were husband and wife team Mike Rogers and Ann Rogers from Brierley Hill and Kingswinford branch.
Ann has been an active member of the Brierley Hill and Kingswinford Branch, alongside her husband Mike for almost 30 years. During this time, Ann spent five years as Box Secretary before taking up her current position of Branch Chair in 1999. Ann heads a fantastic fundraising team, who manage to have consistently brought in over £25,000 each year and their events have ensured a real awareness of the RNLI in this inland area.
During his 30 years of volunteering, Mike has been Box Secretary, Chair and now Souvenir Secretary. Mike works tirelessly to find new fundraising opportunities, promote events and to increase engagement with the RNLI in the West Midlands. Together they have developed a very successful team of which they should be very proud.
Adele Fuller, RNLI Area Manager for West Midlands says:
‘The ceremony gave us the opportunity to celebrate the tireless work that goes on in our stations and fundraising groups – often quietly, often behind the scenes, always without fuss or fanfare. The annual awards ceremony was our opportunity to make that fuss and say a heartfelt thank you to RNLI volunteers who have given years of dedication.
‘Volunteers like Robert, Ann and Patricia are the driving force behind all of the RNLI’s lifesaving work. Our lifeboat crews, lifeguards and flood rescue teams can save lives because we have the unwavering support of our fundraisers. ‘
Notes to Editors
Pictures of award recipients are available.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Public Relations Manager for Wales and the West on 01745 585162 or 07786668829.
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.
