Focus on our fantastic volunteers: Almost 200 years of voluntary service marked by stations

So many of our volunteers have given decades of service to our charity. This month, we’ve rounded up just some of them who all received service awards in August this year, from all around the coast and in a wide variety of roles. In total, these volunteers have given almost 200 years to saving lives at sea – just a snapshot of the dedication found amongst the RNLI’s people.

In Looe, boathouse visits team volunteer Paul Sedgbeer was surprised with his 20 year long service award following the station’s participation in the town’s carnival parade. Paul, who also finds time to volunteer for the National Trust as well as being an active member of his local sailing club, is believed to be the first of Looe’s boathouse visits team members to receive a long service award.

Danny Richards also received a long service award after an incredible 50 years of service at Angle Lifeboat Station. He received his award at a ceremony which also saw some of his fellow crew members presented with awards for their actions in three back-to-back shouts during Storm Betty in August 2023.

And it’s not just crew members who are recognised for their years of service. At Sunderland RNLI, shop volunteer Maureen was delighted to be presented with a medal marking 10 years of service. Alan Dixon, Chairman of Sunderland RNLI, who presented Maureen with her award said: ‘Reaching 10 years as an RNLI volunteer is a wonderful milestone and it was a real pleasure to be able to recognise Maureen’s contribution.

‘Our shop volunteers are a hugely valued part of the Sunderland RNLI family. They give their time so generously and the money they help to raise directly supports the RNLI’s work of saving lives at sea.’

Another volunteer celebrating 10 years of service is Vicki Owens, who has spent a decade sharing the lifesaving stories and achievements of Holyhead RNLI as the station’s Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO). Over the past decade, Vicki has covered everything from everyday rescues and animal call outs to royal visits, major storms, community events and some of the station's more difficult moments.

Reflecting on her decade in the role, Vicki said: ‘What has kept me going is the crew. I'm still blown away by what they do. The training, the knowledge, the skill they have and the fact they will go out in the dark, in bad weather and search for someone they've never met because they need help. That still amazes me after 10 years.’

In Southend, crew gathered to present Richard Offord with his 20 year long service award. Now station Vice-President, over the course of his service with Southend RNLI Richard has also held roles including fundraising treasurer, fundraising chair and chair of the lifeboat management group.

Reflecting on his journey, Richard highlighted the deeply personal connection he and his family share with our lifesaving charity: ‘The charity has been a significant part of my life and my family's lives. What drove our fundraising was knowing every penny raised would go directly towards saving lives at sea.’

Rounding off our volunteer spotlight this month is the crew at Hoylake RNLI. Across two ceremonies, five crew members were commended for an incredible combined 80 years of lifesaving service. Amongst those honoured was Nigel Manley, who joined the crew at Hoylake in 1981 at the age of 16 and is one of the station’s longest-serving volunteers. Nigel received his 40 year long service award alongside his fellow crew members Ros Whiteley-Jones, Dave Bates, Dave Noble and Huw Aldersey-Williams, who were all recognised for 10 years’ service to the station.

Our thanks go to all of our dedicated volunteers around the UK and Ireland, whether you’re just starting out on your volunteering journey, or marking milestones like these.

If you know a volunteer who will be marking a milestone in the near future then you can find out more about how to nominate them for an award on our recognition and awards pages. And if you’ve been inspired by these stories to begin your own volunteering journey, there is a wealth of information available about the volunteer roles offered by the RNLI on our volunteering pages.