Four Galway-based lifeboat volunteers were honoured at a special awards ceremony held recently in Dublin to honour the volunteer work of the men and women who give up so much of their time to support the RNLI in Ireland.

Each year the charity recognises the generosity, support and commitment of its volunteers who raise the much-needed funds for the RNLI to continue its work of saving lives at sea.

Margaret Jackie Gill from the Aran Islands was awarded a Gold Badge. Margaret started fundraising for the RNLI in 1983 and has been actively involved since then. She has been the Branch Honorary Treasurer for all that time. On top of her duties as Treasurer she also acts as Box Secretary.

Lavinia Joyce from Clifden was awarded a bronze badge. Lavinia is a valued member of the Clifden branch for a long number of years and has been the Branch Chairman for the past nine years.

Ruth Cully from the Clifden/Connemara branch was also awarded a bronze badge. Ruth has been a box secretary for the Clifden branch for the past eight years. Lavinia Joyce collected the award on her behalf.

Mike Swan, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Galway was presented with a Supporter award. Mike has been heavily involved in the Galway Lifeboat Station as a crewmember and helmsman since the stations establishment and assumed the role of Lifeboat Training co-ordinator during the introduction of the Competence Based Training system. Mike has extended the training at Galway to accommodate crewmembers from the Aran Islands who may be studying or working in Galway. The RNLI wishes to acknowledge Mike's invaluable contribution to training with this award.

This year saw 43 volunteers and groups honoured for their roles in supporting the charity in Ireland. The awards ranged from one very special Bar to Gold badge, seven gold badges, seven silver badges, four bronze badges, nine statuettes to 12 special supporter awards and certificates of thanks. The supporter awards recognise the increasing number of supporters from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Paying tribute to the awardees, Terry Johnson, Deputy Chairman of the RNLI said, "While visiting lifeboat stations and events over the past 12 months I was delighted to have the opportunity to talk with the lifeboat crews and volunteer fundraisers who give so freely and expect so little in return. When they launch to a rescue: or plan a fundraising event: or make a donation, awards are the last thing on their minds."

A Supporter Award was also awarded to the Clifden RNLI Appeal Committee. The award was given to the committee for raising an amazing €65,000 to pay for a new D class lifeboat for Clifden.

The ceremony also marked one of the final official duties for Colin Williams, the outgoing Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats in Ireland. Colin is leaving Ireland after 13 years to take up the position as Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats in Wales.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment