PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS FOR RNLI AITH VOLUNTEERS
RNLI Aith volunteer crew members and families gathered together recently to present service awards, and gifts, to several members of the crew, some of whom were retiring after several years.
Many of the crew have been serving the RNLI in Aith since they were young boys, with a total of 279 years being racked up, by the eight recipients.
Some of them have served in various roles within the RNLI, and all have given many hours of their time, and saved many lives in the process.
The presentation was held in the local ‘Rankin Lounge’ in Aith, where Lifeboat Operations Manager Alexander Simpson firstly made a short speech to thank the volunteers for their efforts over the years, on behalf of the RNLI. Mr Simpson said that ‘the number of years these men have given to the lifeboat was amazing, and it was certainly much appreciated by the RNLI, and everyone in the Aith community’.
The presentations were then held, with the Lifeboat Operations Manager making special mention to the following volunteers; Wilbert Clark, who was retiring as Deputy Launch Authority after 54yrs service, Jim Nicolson, who was retiring as Lifeboat Operations Manager after 48yrs service, and Neil Ridland, who was retiring as 2nd Mechanic after 29yrs service.
Service medals were then presented to Hamish Hunter and Paul Georgeson, who have both served for 20yrs. Paul was unfortunately unable to attend the presentation, as he had just become a father that day!
Ian Anderson also received a service medal for 30yrs of service.
A certificate of service was then presented to Hylton Henry, who was retiring as Coxswain after 38yrs, and, a Certificate of Service and a medal was presented to Kevin Henry, who was retiring as Mechanic after 40yrs. Kevin is staying with the RNLI in a shore-based role, as the Deputy Launch Authority in Aith.
Retirement gifts were given out, and a hearty round of applause was given to thank all the volunteers once again.
The evening then continued with the volunteers being served a curry which had been cooked for them, and after this the annual ‘Snolda Shield’ games event was held. This is where local RNLI volunteers take on the local community hall volunteers, in a competitive games night. This year the games included 500 (cards), dominoes, pool, darts etc. The event was won this year by the lifeboat crew.
The evening was very much enjoyed by all, and served to strengthen the close bond that the RNLI has with the local community in Aith.
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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