Ireland Medal for drowning prevention is presented to RNLI Trustee and Coxswain
RNLI Trustee and Red Bay Coxswain, Paddy McLaughlin, has been presented with the Lifesaving Foundation’s ‘Ireland Medal,’ in recognition of his outstanding work in saving lives from drowning.
The medal was presented by Commodore Micheal Malone, Flag Officer Commanding Irish Naval Service, during a ceremony held at the South-East Technological University in Waterford City, which was attended by major figures in the field of drowning prevention study. The Ireland medal is awarded each year to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to saving lives from drowning.
The specially commissioned medal was introduced in 2003 and past awardees include the Irish Naval Service, Professor Michael Tipton and Dr. Paddy Morgan. The award was made to an RNLI representative, during the RNLI’s bicentenary year. Paddy McLaughlin has been a volunteer with the charity since 1981, when he joined his local lifeboat station in Cushendal, County Antrim. A Coxswain on the station’s Trent class lifeboat, he has also served as both a helm and crew on the station’s inshore lifeboats, which have included the D-class, C-class, Atlantic 21, Atlantic 75 and the present-day Atlantic 85. He became a member of the RNLI’s Ireland Council in 2012 and the RNLI’s Council in 2014. He is currently the Deputy Chair of the Irish Council and has been a member of the RNLI’s People Committee since 2019. In 2020, Paddy joined the charity’s Board of Trustees.
As an active member of his local community, Paddy is an advocate for partnerships and local enterprise. He was the architect of the RNLI’s hugely successful partnership with the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), one of Ireland’s largest sports organisations, which for the last seven years has seen both organisations working alongside each other across Ireland and the UK, with the shared goal of saving lives from drowning.
On receiving his award Paddy paid tribute to the many people who have volunteered for the charity over the last two hundred years and made a plea for organisations to continue to work together to end drowning. ‘This award is a huge honour for me and I am humbled to receive it on behalf of the thousands of RNLI volunteers who have given their time, their commitment and their passion, to saving lives and preventing drowning over the last two centuries.’
‘Whether through my lifeboat role at my station in county Antrim on the North coast of Ireland, as a Trustee for the charity or being involved in incredible partnerships, I am grateful to have had so many opportunities to work alongside the best people and to see the difference the charity has made and continues to make in so many people’s lives. I hope the RNLI will continue to work through partnerships and engagement with the many groups and organisations who seek to end drowning at home and globally.’
Also attending the ceremony was RNLI’s Head of Water Safety Gareth Morrison, who added, ‘I have worked with Paddy on many projects for the RNLI, including the GAA partnership and it is fitting that he has been recognised for his many years of service and outstanding work. This prestigious award, which has been given to so many leaders and organisations in the field of drowning prevention, is an acknowledgement of the power of our people to bring about significant change and help others. To receive this award in the charity’s 200th year is a great honour and Paddy is a worthy recipient.
ENDS
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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