Penarth RNLI volunteer crew celebrate honours and 50-year Long Service Award
Mrs Janey Howell, the High Sheriff of South Glamorgan presented medals to RNLI crew to celebrate the Coronation of HRH King Charles III and Patron of the RNLI, to crew as well as presenting awards of commendation and long service.
It was an honour for Penarth RNLI to welcome Mrs Howell, who is also heavily involved with activities which mirror the foundation of the RNLI charity and those who voluntarily serve the community.
Similarly to the RNLI, the remit of the office of High Sheriff is a non-political and independent appointment which provides support for the Royal Family, the Judiciary, the Police, emergency services and the community without resort to the public purse.
When taking up the position in March 2024 Mrs Howells said:
‘I have the opportunity to meet many people in Cardiff and the Vale that make up the county of South Glamorgan. I am very much looking forward to working with the different communities and charities and learning about their successes and the difficulties they have experienced.
Coronation medals were presented to 4,500 frontline RNLI volunteers and staff (in roles that impact lifesaving delivery), 23 of those people were from a little town just outside Cardiff called Penarth.
As if evidence of this selfless service was needed, two further awards were presented to acknowledge volunteer crew who had shown dedication and service to saving lives at sea on a Boxing Day 26 December 2023 and 10 March 2024. Noted in the letters was that ‘the quality of care delivered was a testament to training on the station and key factor to the survival of the casualty.’
The evening was rounded up with a very special long service award. James Lock had been unavailable at the time the awards were being presented last time around, it would be amiss not to acknowledge 50 years of service to the RNLI. James was visibly proud of his achievement as he walked up to the medal table to a standing ovation from those attending, many of whom had 20, 30 and 40 years of service behind them.
As James stood with a breast full of medals sagging his Guernsey jumper, he explained in his speech: ‘It was a privilege to be a volunteer member of the RNLI charity and thanked his wife Wendy who had given him one hundred percent support and avidly encourages him to go down to the station… don’t ask me why.’
Jason Dunlop Lifeboat Operations Manager conclude by saying:
‘We thank the High Sheriff for giving up her time joining us to acknowledge this moment in our 200-year history of the RNLI. Receiving this award was a real honour and I’m so proud to stand alongside the other recipients and the rest of Penarth RNLI - as one crew, who all do a fantastic job in their volunteer roles and give up so much time to this unique charity.'
Notes to editors- To learn more about Penarth Lifeboat Station please visit: https://www.facebook.com/RNLIPenarth
- Further information about the High Sheriff can be found at the below link https://www.highsheriffsouthglamorgan.com/
Photo Credits: Nick White RNLI LPO
One Crew video can be found at the below link
https://youtu.be/Kdc2t1_tE0Q
Media contacts
For more information please contact Penarth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, Nick White on
[email protected] or 07818680667
Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315 or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].
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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