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RNLI Scarborough volunteer recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Lifeboats News Release

Scarborough Visits Officer, John Porter was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his dedication to volunteering over the last 44 years.

RNLI/Nick Gough

John Porter standing on the Shannon class lifeboat

John is one of eight RNLI volunteers and staff members recognised in His Majesty the King’s Birthday Honours, who together have amassed 304 years of dedicated service.

John started volunteering from an early age with his mother who was a committee member for the Heworth Ladies lifeboat guild, in which John also helped as a fundraiser.

He later moved to Filey and would sell raffle tickets at the weekend for the RNLI outside the lifeboat station with his late wife.

As John got to know the crew at Filey, he was asked to help with rope work on the beach and then began training to become shore crew.

John moved from Filey to Scarborough, applied to join Scarborough RNLI and became a head launch. John is currently Scarborough RNLI visits officer, taking groups around the station on tours explaining the history, the equipment and water safety.

John also volunteers in the lifeboat shop and is also a volunteer face to face fundraiser.

Janet Legrand OBE, Chair of the RNLI, said: ‘In our 200th anniversary year, it is especially pleasing to see both RNLI volunteers and staff from across four of our lifesaving regions recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours list.

‘Between them, these eight individuals have amassed a remarkable 304 years of service across a variety of roles from seagoing crew and water safety campaigner to museum curator and fundraising champion, all playing a vital part in saving lives at sea.

‘Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, our lifesavers have saved over 146,000 lives. This is only made possible by the selfless commitment of all our volunteers and staff across the UK and Ireland.

‘My congratulations and thanks go to all eight recipients and our thousands of other volunteers and staff who work tirelessly to deliver our essential lifesaving services as we strive to save every one.’

John Porter said it was an honour and he was surprised and added: 'It is nice to be recognised.’

‘I found out the news from my son who said I better sit down for this one and explained I had been awarded the British Empire Medal.’

‘It has been amazing to be part of the RNLI's hard work and locally seeing the water safety advice which I deliver, saving peoples lives.’

‘Locally, the float to live advice has been used twice that we know about and this advice alone saved two lives.’

‘If you find yourself struggling in the water unexpectedly, your instinct would tell you to swim hard. But cold water shock can make you gasp uncontrollably. Then you could inhale water and drown. Instead, you should Float to Live.’

‘The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to. Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability – and it's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.’

Notes to editors

Scarborough lifeboat station has been operating since 1801. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Nick Gough RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07939025881 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Nick Gough

john Porter

RNLI/Nick Gough

John remoniscing his days of head launching the Mersey class Lifeboat

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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