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.
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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 142,700 lives.
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