RNLI thanks Simon and Geoff for 10 years of volunteering
After 10 years, both Simon Perks and Geoff Vian are taking a half step back from their voluntary roles at RNLI Portishead but thankfully both are still staying involved in supporting the charity.
Simon has been leading on all of the fundraising events and will still be helping out when he can. Geoff has actually worn three hats and is stepping back from his Treasurer and Visits Officer roles. Over the years they have both helped to raise huge donations to help keep the vital lifesaving service going for our community.
Geoff will continue volunteering as our Education Visits Officer, where he will visit schools, groups and clubs of all ages across Somerset to talk about how to keep safe when visiting our beautiful coast and give you a little insight to what we do as a charity.
Both Geoff and Simon have been amazing role models leading their teams and the volunteers in Portishead cannot thank them enough for all they have done in contributing to keeping the community safe, raising funds and giving out vital safety messages along the way.
Volunteer Chairman at Portishead, Simon Chapman said, ‘We are truly grateful to Simon for his 10 years of volunteer service for the RNLI in Portishead . During that time, Simon has professionalised and developed our Fundraising Team of volunteers and significantly helped to raise awareness locally of the RNLI’s lifesaving work. Simon has been a consistent and reliable member of the lifeboat station Management Team and is someone who has always gone above and beyond what was expected of him in his role. Thank you so much Simon for everything that you have done to enhance our team.’
‘Geoff’s contribution with us in Portishead and to the wider RNLI over the last 10 years can only be described as remarkable and we cannot thank him enough. As well as scrupulously maintaining our charities accounts, Geoff has enhanced the RNLI’s mission to prevent drowning in more ways than we will ever know. Through his role as Visits Coordinator, Geoff has spoken to literally thousands of children and adults alike in the local area, teaching them about water safety, the role of the RNLI and how to summon help around the UK’s coastline if needed. Thank you Geoff for all that you have done for us, over so many years - we are incredibly grateful.’
If you would like Geoff to come and visit your school or club to give a lifesaving talk about the RNLI and how to stay safe on our coast, please get in touch via [email protected] and we will put you in touch!
If you would like to join our fundraising team please do email us on [email protected] and we will put you in touch with the right person. If you are planning a fundraising event for the RNLI do take a look on this link to register your event and get support - https://fundraise.rnli.org
As always, a huge thank you to the community for all the support, without you all we couldn’t #SaveLivesAtSea
How your kind donations helped last year (2024 - taken from RNLI website)
9,312 - Lifeboats launched
16,476 - People Aided
389 - Lives Saved
45 - people helped every day
Notes to editors – All images ©RNLIPortishead
· Left to right: Simon Perks, Simon Chapman & Geoff Vian receive their awards
· During training on Sunday Mike Roberts, RNLI Portishead presented certificates of thanks to Simon and Geoff.
· RNLI President Mike Roberts with Geoff Vian
· RNLI President Mike Roberts with Simon Perks
· Left to right: Geoff’s wife Jane and daughter Rosie, Simon, Mike, Geoff and Simon.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Helen Lazenby, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07800 595995, [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 143,080 lives.
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, X, TikTok 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.