Tributes to lifelong Porthcawl RNLI volunteer
All volunteers at Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat station were saddened to hear that John Williams MBE had sadly died earlier this week
John was an original crew member when the RNLI re-established a lifeboat at Porthcawl in 1965. He went on to serve the station as Honorary Secretary, now known as Lifeboat Operations Manager, from 1986 until 1998. Following his retirement from that role he continued volunteering at the station for many years in various capacities one of which was a representative on the station committee.
John was married to Irene and as a couple they both supported the RNLI charity for many years. Irene was awarded the RNLI Gold Badge for her dedicated service in 2015. John was awarded a MBE for his service to the RNLI in 1997. One of his major achievements came to fruition in 1996 when a new lifeboat station was built to house a new and larger lifeboat at Porthcawl
Philip Missen MBE, Porthcawl Lifeboat Operations Manager said, ‘Our thoughts today go out to Irene and the family. John certainly was a RNLI stalwart and would still attend the lifeboat station most Sunday mornings up until just a couple of years ago when illness prevented his visits. Well into his late seventies John would cycle down from Nottage regularly and when that got a bit tough he bought a battery powered bicycle. There are not many people who have served their community for so many years'.
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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