Pwllheli RNLI volunteers celebrate 40 years service at Royal Palace Garden Party

Pwllheli RNLI volunteers and staff were presented with Long Service Medals last month (15 May), marking 40 years of service for the charity that saves lives at sea. Mr Roger Smith, whose company was a key donor towards the building cost of Pwllheli RNLI’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Smith Brothers, visited the station with his wife to present the medals, which also coincidentally coincided with the 100 year anniversary of the company.

Those presented were Jill Roberts (Fundraiser), Neil Roberts (Shore Crew), Alwyn Roberts (Station Mechanic and Lifeboat Crew) and Andy Vowell (Lifeboat Operations Manager).

To mark their long service and dedication to the RNLI, all four attended the RNLI 200th Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace together with around 2,500 of the RNLI’s long-serving volunteers, staff and their families, in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent.

Speaking after the presentation Station Mechanic and Lifeboat Crew, Alwyn Roberts, said:

‘I’ve grown up with the RNLI and followed in my father’s footsteps, who was also a member of the crew at Pwllheli. I started as a volunteer crew member and progressed to full time mechanic in 2010.’

Fundraiser, Jill Roberts said: ‘As someone who’s sailed most of my life, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed fundraising for the RNLI, especially meeting people during our Flag Day collection days and our station open days.’

Shore Crew, Neil Roberts said: ‘I’m proud to be recognised for my 40 years service as an RNLI volunteer. I’m currently shore crew and tracked vehicle driver. It’s well worth joining the RNLI, it provides us with opportunities and we give back to our community.’

If you would like to make a difference to the RNLI charity, and be part of the one crew that saves lives at sea, be that boat or shore crew, treasurer or fundraiser, please get in touch with the station on 01758 612486, or via Pwllheli RNLI social media pages or the RNLI website.

Notes to editors

• Pwllheli lifeboat station has been operating since 1891. To learn more about the lifeboat station visit the RNLI website.

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For more information please contact Caroline Jones, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07753 397977.

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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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