Platinum Jubilee medals presented to Margate RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew

Across the RNLI, 4,500 volunteers and frontline staff have been awarded the special Queen’s Platinum Jubilee commemorative medal and this evening (Wednesday 8 June) the usual Wednesday evening training session for Margate’s volunteer lifeboat crew started with the presentation of the medals to many of the recipients by Allen Head, Area Lifesaving Manager, RNLI. The eighteen volunteers honoured have served a combined total of 334 years in the cause of saving lives at sea ranging individually from five to 55 years.

The recipients had to have served for at least five years as of 6 February 2022 and the eighteen honoured are: Andy Welch (B class crew), Brian Sharp (Station Honorary Chaplain – retired), Christian Wright (Deputy Launching Authority), Christopher Andrews (launch vehicle driver), Connor Edwards (B class helm and mechanic, D class helm and lead), Christopher Snelson (B class crew, D class helm), Derek Amas (Lifeboat Operations Manager), Keith Patrick (B class helm and training support), Grant Welch (D class helm, B class crew), Guy Addington (B class helm and lead and D class helm), Joel Goodwin (shore crew), Lynn Cox (B class crew and first aid lead), Peter Barker (Lifeboat Press Officer), Phillip Gore (shore crew), Robert Dickerson (launch vehicle driver), Robert Stringer (launch vehicle driver), Stuart Cattell (B class and D class crew), Sam Peterkin (B class and D class crew and safety rep)

Mark Dowie, RNLI Chief Executive, said: “My congratulations and thanks go to all the recipients and our thousands of other volunteers and staff who work tirelessly to deliver our essential lifesaving services.”

Notes to editors

· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 or [email protected]

· RNLI Press Office 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 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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