Aberystwyth RNLI volunteers recognised for outstanding commitment
Aberystwyth RNLI Helm Ian Brandreth was presented the annual John James Award for his commitment to saving lives at sea.
The 2023 award was presented to Ian Brandreth, a Paramedic Practitioner at Ystwyth Surgery Aberystwyth, for his commitment to Aberystwyth RNLI and for also carrying out significant work as a volunteer Lifeboat Medical Advisor.
Originally from Staffordshire, Ian has been a volunteer crew member and helm of the Arancia inshore rescue boat for the past 20 years, as well as supporting the other lifeboat stations across Wales as a Lifeboat Medical Adviser.
Presentations were also made by Aberystwyth Lifeboat Chairman, Mr Mark Morgan MNM, to previous recipients of the John James Award; Rhodri Lewis, Richard Griffiths, Edward Jenkins, Caroline Jones and Geraint Wheeler. They each received personalised miniatures of the award to commemorate their achievements. Other previous recipients of the award who were not present were; Ian Richards, Elaine Harrison, and Bryn Harrison.
An earlier presentation took place in Fishguard where Rhodri Lewis, RNLI Regional Engineer in Wales, presented the award to Gemma Gill, who has recently been appointed as the full-time Coxswain of Fishguard Lifeboat Station. Gemma received the John James Award in 2018 when she was a helm and volunteer crew at Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station.
The ‘John James Award for Outstanding Commitment' was created in memory of Aberystwyth RNLI Crew Member John James, who lost his life on 20 February 1877. The crew of the Aberystwyth pulling lifeboat
Lady Haberfield was sent to aid an Irish schooner the Sarah Ellen, which had been caught in a storm and had dropped anchor near 'The Patches' off Aberystwyth. Following a protracted and difficult rescue, the lifeboat crew rescued the schooner brining it safely to Aberystwyth Harbour, but sadly John James died of extreme cold and exhaustion.
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 142,700 lives.
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