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Carrybridge helms receive Long Service Awards from RNLI Chief Executive

Lifeboats News Release

Chris Cathcart and David Reid have served 20 years rescuing those on trouble on Lough Erne and during a visit to the station by the RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, were presented with medals to thank them for their volunteering service.

Carrybridge Helm, Chris Cathcart, Receiving His 20 Year Long Service Award From RNLI Chief Executive

RNLI/Stephen Scott

Carrybridge Helm, Chris Cathcart, Receiving His 20 Year Long Service Award From RNLI Chief Executive

Over the past 20 years since the station was formed on Upper Lough Erne, Chris and David have been involved in hundreds of rescues involving a wide variety of call outs. Between the two volunteers they have attended all manor off call outs on Lough Erne including to people, boats and also to stranded animals in distress.

In addition to the helm role Chris is also the Lifeboat Training Coordinator and Lifeboat Press Officer while David is the Inshore Lifeboat/Launch and Recovery Plant Mechanic. Both are also Casualty Carers and are Shore Crew.

At a presentation held at the end of the summer, Lord Erne presented 17 of the Carrybridge volunteers with the late Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. The commemorative medal was created to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and awarded to those crew who had served more than 5 years with the charity.

Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager, at Carrybridge RNLI praised Chris and David on the fantastic achievement saying, “on behalf of the station at Carrybridge and on behalf of all the thousands of people rescued we would wish to congratulate the men on the outstanding commitment to volunteering. Chris and David carry a pager at all times and when the alarm goes off whether it be day or night, summer or winter both can be relied upon to respond to go to those in need. It was a privilege for the volunteers to also be presented with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal by Lord Erne and his wife.”

Ends

Notes to editors

· Carrybridge Lifeboat Station was started in 2002 on Upper Lough Erne. It currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and a Rescue Water Craft

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786228968, email [email protected] or Chris Cathcart, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07595895908, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 00353 876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 00353 871254124 or [email protected]

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Carrybridge Helm, David Reid, Receiving His 20 Year Long Service Award From RNLI Chief Executive

RNLI/Stephen Scott

Carrybridge Helm, David Reid, Receiving His 20 Year Long Service Award From RNLI Chief Executive
Sam McCreery Honorary President, Stephen Scott LOM, Mark Dowie CEO, Chris Cathcart Helm and David Reid Helm

RNLI/Stephen Scott

Sam McCreery Honorary President, Stephen Scott LOM, Mark Dowie CEO, Chris Cathcart Helm and David Reid Helm

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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 146,000 lives.

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