RNLI volunteers presented honour for lifesaving impact across Vale of Glamorgan

These ceremonial titles have been awarded to the RNLI in what is a very special year for the lifesaving charity as it celebrates its 200th anniversary. The honour encompasses the whole of the RNLI’s one crew across the Vale of Glamorgan, including Penarth and Barry Dock Lifeboat Stations, the lifeguard teams, fundraising, engagement and water safety volunteers and staff members.

Stuart McMillan, Chair of Barry Dock RNLI Lifeboat Management Group, was presented with a Vale of Glamorgan Freedom of Vale Certificate from Mayor of the Vale Elliot Penn, on behalf of all the volunteers and staff. Stuart also addressed the crowd with a short speech about what this means to the RNLI one crew in the Vale of Glamorgan.

After the ceremony Stuart added:

‘It was a great honour to represent the RNLI and receive the plaque. Everyone who volunteers and works for the RNLI shares our charity’s values and we all come together as one crew in our mission to save lives at sea.

‘We’d like to thank the Vale of Glamorgan Council for recognising us with these honorary titles and the impact our work has had on keeping our communities across the Vale a safe place for locals and visitors to enjoy our coastline.’

Vale of Glamorgan Council Chief Executive Rob Thomas said:

'The RNLI is a charity that relies on the commitment and generosity of volunteers to help keep people safe along our country’s coastline.

'As the Vale is a coastal county, we benefit from that dedication more than most, with members of the RNLI helping to keep people safe at our resorts, beaches and the waters further offshore.

'These courageous individuals carry out this work not for personal gain, but for the benefit and protection of others.

'The Council wanted to recognise this contribution with a gesture that reflects our appreciation and admiration for the people who give up their time in this way. This award is made to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to our communities and is richly deserved. It serves to illustrate the power of volunteering, which in this case - quite literally saves lives.'

Matt Childs, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager said:

‘We’re all very proud to receive this recognition for the collective efforts of our lifesaving work here in the Vale of Glamorgan. We often talk about ‘one crew’ at the RNLI and this honour truly encompasses all that our one crew represents.

‘It’s not just our incredible volunteers that crew our lifeboats who make it possible to save lives at sea, but it’s the collective effort of everyone involved. From our fundraisers and water safety volunteers, to lifeguard teams and everyone else in between.’

Notes to editors

• Photo credits: Sian Lewis Photography.

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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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