Porthcawl RNLI volunteer to receive BEM for decades of dedicated service
Ian Stroud, Chair of Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat Management Group is to receive the BEM after being a volunteer for more than 34 years.
A stalwart of the lifesaving community in south Wales, Ian began his RNLI journey as a crew member at Porthcawl in 1986. He served until 1992 when he retired from the sea-going role but remained actively involved.
For 25 years, Ian was Porthcawl’s Lifeboat Press Officer promoting real-life rescue stories to raise awareness of the role of the volunteer crew, supporting fundraising and sharing safety messages.
Alongside this role, Ian was appointed Deputy Launch Authority and was responsible for authorising the launch of the station’s lifeboats, a role which he carried out for 20 years.
Ian said: ‘I’m delighted and honoured to receive such recognition, it’s not something I ever expected.
‘I’ve held several RNLI roles during my time, but I’ve particularly enjoyed my role as Lifeboat Press Officer, promoting Porthcawl Lifeboat Station and our dedicated volunteers who are on-call 24/7 to save lives at sea.’
Lifesaving has always been in Ian’s blood. He qualified as an RLSS voluntary lifeguard on the beach in Porthcawl at the age of 31. Ian served as a member of Porthcawl Lifeguard Club for over 20 years, teaching lifesaving skill and then becoming an examiner.
Beyond his RNLI volunteering, Ian has played a pivotal role in the Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim for 23 years, ensuring the event is well publicised, promoting water safety to the hundreds of participants, and raising over £175,000 for charities in South Wales.
Eight RNLI volunteers and staff, including Ian have been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours. Peter Sparkes, RNLI Chief Executive says: ‘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
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315. Or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [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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