Penlee RNLI volunteer recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Eric Taylor, Chair of the Penlee RNLI Fundraising Branch, who has dedicated more than 43 years to the RNLI has been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours for his dedication and commitment to the lifesaving charity.
Eric has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).
The RNLI has been part of Eric’s family dating back to 1883, when his great-grandfather served as Coxswain on Padstow lifeboat, and his grandfather as signalman, before becoming coxswain.
His mother was affectionately known as ‘Lifeboat Mary’ and introduced him to fundraising from a very young age.
Due to having polio in his childhood years, Eric was unable to join the lifeboat crew, but he still had a passion for saving lives at sea and began fundraising for Penlee lifeboat in 1983.
Eric became Deputy Chair of the Penlee Lifeboat Fundraising Branch in 2012 and Chair in 2014. Under his leadership, the branch has raised £495,000, including £200,000 towards the new Penlee Lifeboat Station, which opened in 2019.
Eric said: ‘The RNLI has always been in the family, and I remember being involved from a very young age following in my great-grandfather’s footsteps.
‘It was a bit of a shock to receive this award, as this is just something I do - I enjoy volunteering so much and love being part of it.’
A total of eight RNLI volunteers and staff have been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours.
RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: ‘I am always astounded by the dedication of our volunteers and staff and these eight are testament to the commitment demonstrated by so many of our people.
‘Whatever their role, they are all lifesavers and the RNLI couldn’t do what we do without them powering our frontline services with passion, talent and kindness.
‘My heartfelt congratulations to these eight Honours recipients, and as we enter our peak summer season, my thanks go to the thousands of volunteers who give their time so generously to the RNLI.’
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Amy Caldwell, RNLI Communications Staff Member for South West [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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.
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