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Aberdour farmer and RNLI volunteer awarded MBE in King’s New Year Honours

Lifeboats News Release

Norman Niven, Chairman of the Aberdour RNLI committee, has been awarded an MBE in the King's New Year Honours List for services to the community of Aberdour, Burntisland.

RNLI

Norman Niven, Chairman of the Aberdour RNLI committee, has been awarded an MBE in the King's New Year Honours List for services to the community of Aberdour, Burntisland.

Mr Niven, 77, who was born and brought up in the Fife coastal village, is a well-known local farmer. His boyhood was spent in and around Aberdour, playing tennis, golf, sailing and swimming.

His own family has all been brought up in Aberdour, taking advantage of the vibrant community life in the village. Attending local schools, joining organisations such as Scouts and playing sports are all essential ingredients for healthy and active community life, says Mr Niven.

He adds: "I am so humbled and honoured to accept this award on behalf of the community of Aberdour. It was a complete surprise when I got the letter to inform me it was happening and I'm so appreciative to be recognised in this way.

"I just wanted to play my part in ensuring success and continuity for the next generation, and couldn't help but volunteer for a few committees!"

Mr Niven has been at the heart of village life throughout his life and has served with many organisations over the years. He has been on the Aberdour RNLI branch fundraising group for a decade and has chaired the branch for the last five years.

Like many people who grow up by the sea, Mr Niven spent a lot of time on the shoreline, enjoying coastal activities and forging a connection to the sea. As he moved into later life, he continued to enjoy sailing with Aberdour friends, and his appreciation of the Lifeboat services grew.

Aberdour has had a fundraising RNLI committee for many years and when the opportunity arose to be chairman, Mr Niven says he keenly accepted.

"I may be the chairman of the local group," he says, "but I have the support of a wonderful, dedicated team."

The group holds many fundraising events throughout the year, including musical evenings, coffee mornings, festival beach days, talks and sponsored walks.

The local lifeboat station is based in Kinghorn, four miles east of Aberdour. With Kinghorn, the Aberdour branch has organised many sponsored coastal walks, going station-to-station on the north shore of the Forth.

Other community fundraising events include May Day and Yellow Wellie Days. These activities are always supported generously.

Mr Niven says: "This award recognises the courage and selflessness of the volunteers who are constantly on call to save lives at sea.

"I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the response to me receiving this award. All community activities in villages like Aberdour need grassroots support. I feel privileged to have been able to play a small part in it all."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

· The Aberdour RNLI Committee was formed on 17 May 1967.

· The closest lifeboat station to the Aberdour Committee is Kinghorn RNLI Lifeboat Station. To find out more, visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/kinghorn-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Neil Chalmers, Lifeboat Press Officer at Kinghorn RNLI, [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Kirsty McLachlan

Norman (pictured at the front) at Kinghorn RNLI Lifeboat Station.

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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