Brighton RNLI operations manager attends Platinum Jubilee service
Brighton Lifeboat operations manager Roger Cohen attended the thanksgiving service for the Platinum Jubilee at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday.
Roger, who was awarded an MBE last year, was invited to the event to honour his service to the RNLI.
He was one of 400 members of the public, including key workers, charity volunteers and members of the armed forces, to be invited to the service in recognition of their contribution to public life.
The guests joined senior members of the royal family at St Paul's in central London, although the Queen did not attend after experiencing ''some discomfort'' during the first day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Since joining the lifesaving charity in 1982, Roger has been involved in 2,260 lifeboat launches resulting in 248 lives saved. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) last year for services to the RNLI and charity.
Roger said: ‘It was a superb day, giving thanks to the Queen - our charity’s Patron.
‘Sad that she was unable to be present, but hopefully the warmth of assembled congregation was visible to Her Majesty.
‘It was interesting meeting other nominees, who had travelled from all parts of the world.
‘The memories of the service and reception will remain with me forever.
'I felt very privileged to part of the intimate gathering.’
Under his leadership, Brighton became the first station to take part in a Pride Parade and subsequently Roger led Brighton to becoming the first of the RNLI’s 238 lifeboat stations to be LGBT accredited.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Lotte Ikonen on 07576 870 669.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.