High Sheriff of Somerset presents Weston RNLI crew with long service awards

The RNLI long service medal is awarded at milestones of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years, recognizing volunteers who have given sustained service with distinction. Terry Wells and Martin Fear, helms that command both lifeboats at Weston RNLI received 20-year service medals. Richard Spindler, fondly know as ‘Spin’ to fellow crew received the prestigious and rare 60-year long service medal representing an amazing six decades of RNLI volunteering RNLI.

Members of Weston RNLI including fundraisers, shop helpers, crew and operational representatives gathered at the RNLI Shop, Marine Lake to watch the presentation. Janet Montgomery, the High Sheriff of Somerset represents the King and part of the role is to support emergency services and volunteer organisations across Somerset.

Janet presented the crew awards and said:

‘I just wanted to say thank you to all the volunteers who really make this unit thrive here in Weston-super-Mare and what a valuable job you all do to keep people safe and save lives. We shouldn’t underestimate that ability to do that. I come and support you as High Sheriff and give these awards out.’

Cllr Martin Williams, the Mayor also spoke at the ceremony, he said:

‘I did 10 years in the coastguard I always remember when I was out stuck in the mud and the tide was coming in it was quite nice to see that orange boat bobbing around (laughter), you knew that the guys and girls were there to back you up if you needed it. Thank you for everything you do in our town, you’re very important to our community and long may your service continue.’

Volunteers are the heart of the RNLI and make up the vast majority of our people, 97% of our frontline lifesavers are volunteers on call 24/7 365 days a year.

Notes to editors

· Photos, 1. The Mayor of Weston shaking Terry Wells hand, 2. From left to Right, Martin Fear, Janet Montgomery, Richard Spindler, Terry Wells, Cllr Martin Williams, 3. The High Sheriff of Somerset presenting Richard Spindler with his 60 years long service medal. Photo Credit: Holly Turner/RNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Weston’s Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officers Holly Turner [email protected] Tel. 07930279912.

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre https://rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 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 142,200 lives.

Weston-super-Mare RNLI lifeboat station was founded in 1882. Between 1882 and 2023 the Weston-super-Mare volunteer lifeboat crew have launched 2,269 times and saved 477 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.