Long service at Conwy RNLI rewarded by royal invite to Buckingham Palace
Conwy RNLI’s long serving crew member and current volunteer Mechanic/Helmsman Patrick Byrnes (Paddy) was recently invited to a garden party at the palace in recognition of over 25 years’ service.
Paddy (as he is known to the crew) and his wife Karen were invited to the Palace on the 1st of June 2017 in London, to recognise Paddy’s milestone of voluntary work to the community of Conwy and to the RNLI.
Paddy who is the current volunteer Mechanic and one of our Helmsmen at the station, has been an active volunteer for over 25 years and attended the garden party at the palace on the 1st of June with his wife Karen.
Paddy had to say:
‘I am very proud to have been invited and having been able to represent Conwy lifeboat and the RNLI. My 25 years would not have been possible alone. We have an excellent crew and management team at Conwy who helped me through the entire 25 years. I would like to mention all the family members that have arranged many a meal and events that have been interrupted by my pager going off (and the maroons in times gone by), when things often get put on hold. My wife Karen also deserves a special thanks, who has put up with it all for these years, she also deserves a medal. The commitment to the RNLI affects the whole family, but it's all worth it to be able to save lives at sea. I may have completed 25 years, however I have no intention of going anywhere just yet'.
As a station, we are very proud of Paddy's achievement and ongoing commitment to our station and the RNLI in general. He is a great asset to our station and a fantastic role model for new volunteers that join our team here at Conwy.
Notes to editors
- Conwy lifeboat station has been operating since 1966.
- To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/conwy
- conwy@rnli.org.uk
RNLI media contacts
- Danny-Lee Davies, Conwy RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07999321639
- Alan Flood, Conwy RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07871505513
- Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer (Wales and West) on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162
- Alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
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 over 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 142,700 lives.
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