Ian Barnaby of RNLI Torbay recognized for his British Empire Medal.

Ian ‘Barney’ Barnaby, volunteer crew member of Torbay RNLI has just returned home after attending a Royal Garden Party with his wife Lorraine, on Tuesday 21st May, as part of being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in his Majesty’s New Year Honours.

Barney was awarded the BEM ‘for services to maritime safety’ and invested with the award by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon on 2nd May at Exeter Guildhall.

“The invitation to this year’s Royal Garden Party was part of several events linked to receiving the medal. It is of course fascinating to visit Buckingham Palace and a pleasure to meet members of the royal family. But it really is an award that recognizes Torbay RNLI as a whole, raises our profile and rewards the effort that all the station’s volunteers put in.”

This year’s Royal Garden Party was hosted by Prince William and attended by several other members of the royal family. “Since there were quite a few attendees at the event, there weren’t too many opportunities to chat to Royals. However, despite some inclement weather, we both enjoyed a great day.”

Starting as one of the first helms when the RNLI established a lifeboat service on the river Thames in 2002, Barney moved to Devon in 2013 and went on to join the volunteer crew at Torbay RNLI in 2014.

Barney is a volunteer crew and navigator for Torbay RNLI and to date, he has attended 471 shouts, aided 234 people and saved 14 lives, but it is his contribution to the wider RNLI and Brixham community where he has left the greatest mark.

Barney was the driving force behind the Kilimanjaro Challenge, a series of six challenges between May 22nd and February 23rd, with the aim of raising as much money as possible for Torbay RNLI. Engaging with the local community and businesses, Barney led the team, not only to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in February, but to raising a total of £105,000, which will help fund and equip a new D class lifeboat for Torbay RNLI.

“Coincidentally, this is the first of two Buckingham Palace visits this week, because there is also ‘The RNLI 200th Volunteer Recognition Garden Party’ on Thursday 23rd May when Torbay station is well represented amongst an RNLI attendance of volunteers drawn from across the organisation and selected for many years of service.”

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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