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Wells RNLI’s dedicated volunteer recognised in King’s New Year Honours

Lifeboats News Release

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers have been recognised in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours for a combined 223 years’ dedicated service to saving lives at sea.

Sheila Warner MBE Wells Lifeboat Station with Shannon class lifeboat ‘ Duke of Edinburgh’

RNLI/Ben Williets

Sheila Warner MBE Wells Lifeboat Station

Five RNLI volunteers, including lifeboat crew and a community stalwart, Sheila Warner, from Wells RNLI with 65 years of service, have been honoured by The King for their incredible contribution to the charity.

RNLI Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes said: ‘What a wonderful way to end the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year with recognition for these volunteers from right across the UK.

‘For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers – and on the sheer generosity of the public who provide kind donations – is truly remarkable. Good people responded then and have continued to do so for two centuries: men and women showing extraordinary courage, supported by volunteers and donors who hold the RNLI’s values dear.

‘Our volunteers are the heart of our lifesaving service – we couldn’t do what we do without them. My congratulations to these five worthy recipients and my sincere thanks to the thousands of others who continue to volunteer their time as we embark on our third century of saving lives at sea.’

For 65 years, Sheila Warner has gone above and beyond to serve the causes she believes in and has been awarded an MBE for her dedication.

Now Vice Chair of the Wells RNLI Lifeboat Guild, Sheila first joined the RNLI in 1969. She has assisted with countless station open days, carol services, spring fairs and Christmas stalls which have raised more than £500,000 over the last 10 years alone.

She was a founding member of the Wells RNLI Lifeboat Guild and has worked tirelessly to ensure the heritage of Wells Lifeboat Station is protected for future generations, cataloguing historic artefacts, many of which are on display today.

Sheila said: ‘I’ve really enjoyed my time with the RNLI, especially after my husband died it really became a lifeline.

‘It is down to the Guild that I have kept on, we have all helped one another and I thank them most sincerely for all the help they have given me over the years.’

Sheila is also a valued member of Wells RNLI’s visit team. Her extensive local knowledge and passion for the charity’s lifesaving work and stories of past events are always appreciated by the many visitors she meets.

RNLI Lifeboats Operations Manager, Chris Hardy, said: ‘All of the lifeboat crew are immensely pleased and so proud that Sheila has received a MBE in the New Years Honours.

'Sheila has steadfastly supported our crew for over 60 years, which has contributed greatly to enabling us to carry out our vital role in saving life at sea.'

Sandra King, Chair of Wells Lifeboat Guild said: ‘The Wells Lifeboat Guild is delighted to hear that Sheila has been awarded an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours list.

'Sheila was a founder member of the Fundraising Guild when it was formed over 60 years ago, and she has continued to support and fundraise for the RNLI since that time as well as more recently taking on the role as Visit's Officer at our new lifeboat station.

'We are very proud of this fantastic achievement and for the commitment Sheila has given to the RNLI as well as to many other local charities she has supported over the years.'

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Jess Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07860200790 [email protected] or Ben Williets, RNLI Press Officer on 07977 157961 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789


Sheila Warner MBE signing 200th anniversary RNLI scroll in front of Wells RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat ‘Duke of Edinburgh’

RNLI/Jess Curtis

Sheila Warner MBE signing 200th anniversary RNLI scroll

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, Twitter 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.

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