RNLI lifesavers recognised in King's Birthday Honours
by RNLI 13 Jun 21:30 UTC
David Richmond-Coggan, Water Safety Advisor and Chair of the Bournemouth & Christchurch Fundraising Branch © RNLI / Nathan Williams
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifesavers with a combined 275 years of dedicated service have been recognised in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours.
Six volunteers and one member of staff, have been honoured by The King for their incredible contribution to the charity that saves lives at sea.
RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: 'The commitment and dedication of our people never ceases to amaze me, and these individuals are no exception. I am so pleased to see this national recognition right across the RNLI from the frontline delivery of our lifesaving services to our shops and fundraising groups.
'Everyone at the RNLI is a lifesaver and we couldn't do what we do without the sum of their parts. This includes the families, friends and employers who support them behind the scenes, enabling our people to give their time to support our mission.
'My congratulations to these seven worthy recipients and my sincere thanks to the thousands of others who continue to volunteer their time to saving lives at sea.'
For three decades of dedication, Andy Rodgers, coxswain at Bridlington Lifeboat Station, will be made a Member of the British Empire (MBE).
Andy began volunteering in 1995 and has spent more than 600 hours at sea. He has launched to 188 incidents, during which the station has been credited with aiding 167 people and saving 13 lives.
One rescue of particular note was to the fishing vessel George Lou-N on 7 December 2011 with a severely injured man and seven others onboard. The vessel had mechanical problems and was being battered against the North Pier at Whitehaven in strong winds and a three-metre swell. Andy was instrumental in the rescue and despite the severe conditions, the fishing vessel and crew were brought to safety.
Andy, who also works for the charity as regional technical lead said: 'It was a great surprise, and I was overwhelmed and honoured to have received this award. I am just one member of a crew and without all the supporters and volunteers the RNLI could not continue to save lives at sea. I would also like to thank my wife and family. Without their support over the decades my commitment to volunteering would not have been possible.'
Lymington RNLI volunteer Nick Hayward has been made an MBE for 44 years of unwavering commitment.
Nick first joined the crew aged 18 in 1981 and was appointed as helm just three years later. In 1995 he took on more responsibility by becoming the station mechanic.
In 2011, Nick became deputy launch authority - the critical link between HM Coastguard and a lifeboat station. Nick then stepped into the most senior role in the lifeboat station, lifeboat operations manager, in 2013.
He said: 'When the letter arrived from the Cabinet Office, I had to read it several times before it sank in. I'm still reading it to make sure it's correct. I don't think I could have been more elated and humbled at the same time. It would not have been possible without my family, friends and all at Lymington Lifeboat Station who have supported me over the last 44 years. Being part of the RNLI family is a privilege.'
For nearly half a decade of service to the RNLI, Tony Vlasto has been made an MBE.
Tony first joined the RNLI's City of London Committee as a volunteer fundraiser in 1981. He was appointed chair in 2003 and since 2017 has served as president of the Committee.
During his time as chair, the committee raised £1.5m for Tower Lifeboat Station on the River Thames, the busiest lifeboat station for the RNLI, enabling 6,424 rescues to take place and saving 283 lives.
He ensured the RNLI had pride of place at the Lord Mayor's parade in 2015, with over 250,000 people attending the event and a further 3.5 million watching the live broadcast as a new Shannon class lifeboat was paraded through the streets of London.
He said: 'Whilst humbled and proud personally, this honour is really for those many committee members and others including my family who have tolerated and supported me for over 40 years and my abiding passion for the RNLI and its truly amazing and inspirational work.'
Also receiving a BEM is David Richmond-Coggan, Water Safety Advisor and Chair of the Bournemouth & Christchurch Fundraising Branch.
David has dedicated hours to educating young people and raising thousands of pounds. He has undertaken more than 400 talks, engaging with and sharing vital water safety advice with more than 60,000 people of all ages.
While chair, the fundraising branch has raised nearly £45,000 in three years and David has been instrumental in raising retail income from practically zero to £5,000 in the last 18 months.
He said: 'The Margate Lifeboat saved the life of my future father-in-law when his minesweeper was bombed in August 1940 during the Second World War. It has been an honour to try to repay that debt.
'The RNLI is a brilliant organisation to serve and all the volunteers and staff I have worked with have made it a wonderful journey. I am humbled to be recognised in this way and know it comes from all their efforts.'
John Hill, Volunteer Manager in the Whitstable RNLI shop, has been awarded a BEM, 46 years after he first became involved with the charity.
John began fundraising with the charity 25 years ago, having first signed up as a supporter with the charity in 1978, and started volunteering in the Whitstable shop in 2008.
Since taking over as shop manager, John has steadily increased its turnover and every year he hosts a garden party to raise money to keep saving lives at sea.
He said: 'I am humbled and honoured to accept this award and would like to thank the volunteers who have helped over the years.'
David Crowden has been recognised for 65 years of service to saving lives at sea with a BEM.
Currently a committee member at the Bromley Fundraising Branch, David was first inspired to fundraise for the RNLI aged 17, when he collected money from fans at a Bromley Football Club match.
For 40 years, David carried out regular house-to-house collections in one of the longest roads in Bromley and at many fundraising events in his community.
Anjie Rook, Associate Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Media at the RNLI, has also been honoured.
Anjie has been an unwavering leader at the charity for 31 years and has been made an MBE for her service.
She has worked in a number of operational and strategic roles, acted as company secretary and advisor to help drive efficiency and make the best use of every donation. Throughout, she also has given significant amounts of her personal time to volunteer at events and support RNLI volunteers.
Anjie also spearheaded an extensive programme of events to mark the RNLI's 200th anniversary in 2024 - commemorating the charity's past, celebrating the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspiring future generations of lifesavers and supporters.
Anjie said: 'The energy and enthusiasm of being part of the incredible one crew of dedicated people that make up the RNLI means that time never stands still and there is always something new and exciting to focus on that will help us to further our lifesaving mission.
'Knowing that I have been able to help in some small way to help others to go on and deliver our critical lifesaving services and fundraising activities has been so fulfilling; I would love to thank everybody personally for being part of this amazing charity and working so hard to save every one.'