RNLI awards for Llandudno men
Two Llandudno lifeboatmen, Graham Heritage and Les Jones have received Awards from the RNLI to recognise their dedicated service as members of the town's lifeboat crew for over thirty years.
Les's family also contains a link with the RNLI, as one of his Great Great Grandfathers was Llandudno lifeboat Coxswain from 1890 to 1904. Les first volunteered for the crew in early 1986, working his way up to assistant mechanic before being appointed to his present post as full-time Station Mechanic in 1999. He is a qualified RNLI Shannon-class lifeboat Coxswain and holds the RYA Yachtmaster certificate.
An RNLI Llandudno spokesman said:
"Everyone at Llandudno lifeboat station was delighted to see Graham and Les receive their well-deserved Awards. Both of them have taken part in hundreds of search and rescue missions during the past thirty years, with many of these operations having been intensely demanding and taking place in extreme weather conditions and hostile sea states. Their continuing commitment to the RNLI and this station in particular is greatly appreciated by all of us."
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.