RNLI lifesavers recognised by The King in New Year Honours

Six RNLI volunteers recognised by HM The King in New Year honours © RNLI

Six Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers have been recognised in His Majesty The King's New Year Honours for more than 200 years of dedicated service to the lifesaving charity.

Those recognised, including a lifeboat station stalwart with 46 years of service and three bronze medals for gallantry, have been honoured by The King for their exceptional contribution to the charity.

RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: 'My sincere congratulations to these six worthy volunteers and their families; we are very aware they wouldn't be able to do what they do for the RNLI without the support of their families and friends whose lives are often disrupted when our volunteers answer the call for help.

'It is great to see this recognition right across the nation from The Lizard in Cornwall to Orkney in Scotland, and across so many different roles from medical advisor to launch and recovery mechanic.

'Our fundraising volunteers work tirelessly to raise the vital funds to deliver our lifesaving services. It is especially pleasing to see two of our inland fundraising volunteers recognised, both who have given decades to the RNLI, raising thousands of pounds.

'As we end another busy year for our frontline teams and all those who support them behind the scenes, my thanks to the thousands of volunteers who give their time so generously to saving lives at sea.'

Victor Dade, who first joined the RNLI volunteer crew in Hunstanton, Norfolk, in 1979 has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE).

During his time with the RNLI, Victor been awarded three RNLI bronze medals for gallantry. The first came in 1985 when he helped save the life of a windsurfer. He was awarded the second three years later for his role in rescuing the crew of a fishing vessel in pitch darkness and gale force winds. In 1990, he was given his third for his role in rescuing the crew of a yacht aground taking a beating from the stormy conditions.

Speaking of his volunteer role at the RNLI, Victor said: 'I just enjoy it, I like the people, I like mingling with the crew.

'I'm hoping to keep going until I've done my 50 years, I'll hopefully have reached the age of 70 by then. It's so surreal to be recognised like this and want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years.'

Also being made an MBE is Clive Rand, Committee Member of the West Yorkshire RNLI Business Branch and a Vice President of the charity.

Clive was the leader of the RNLI's first ever business branch in 1999 and was instrumental in the fundraising appeal for Bridlington's new D class inshore lifeboat.

Since its inception and with Clive's dedication, the branch has raised more than £500,000 for the lifesaving charity.

Clive said: 'The news of the MBE is an amazing surprise, and I see it as being as much for my formidable volunteer colleagues at the RNLI West Yorkshire Business Branch as for me. The unswerving support of my wife has also been pivotal in my work with this inspiring charity.'

Tony Jones, volunteer at New Brighton RNLI and Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group, has been given an MBE for more than four decades of service to the RNLI.

First joining the New Brighton crew on Merseyside as volunteer shore crew, Tony has taken on most roles at the station, including helm, sea safety officer and launch authority.

Tony said: 'I am elated, humbled and very proud to receive the honour. I could not have continued over the years at my station without the support of my family and all the volunteers and friends at New Brighton Lifeboat Station.'

Patsy Smith, who started volunteering for the RNLI in 1984, shortly after getting married, has also been awarded an MBE.

Her husband had a lifelong career in the Merchant Navy and she felt fundraising for Kirkwall Lifeboat Station in Scotland was her way of looking after him and his colleagues at sea, whilst also supporting island life.

Over the past 41 years, she has held many roles including treasurer and secretary of the Kirkwall Lifeboat Fundraising Branch. She also volunteers in the lifeboat station shop.

"I feel so honoured to receive this award but I'm not sure why it has been given to me - there are so many loyal fundraisers in Orkney. I have made lots of great friendships through my volunteering for the RNLI and had lots of fun along the way too."

Clive Buckley has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work in founding and chairing the Solihull RNLI fundraising branch.

Clive's association with the lifesaving charity first began in 1982 when he became a supporting member. Four years later, he wrote to the RNLI suggesting there should be a fundraising appeal in his hometown of Solihull. The charity agreed, asked Clive to be chairman, and in just two years, the group raised £41,000 to fund a new lifeboat for Abersoch in Wales.

In 1989 he became secretary of the Fundraising Branch, taking over as chairman in 2008. In that time, the branch has raised nearly £400,000, £180,000 of which was during his time as chairman.

He said: 'When I received the letter informing me I was being recommended for the BEM, I thought I was in a dream from which I would shortly awake. I feel incredibly honoured to be recognised and I would like to thank my fellow committee members for their unstinting support. It has made the rain-soaked fundraising days and standing on windswept railway stations, clutching a bucket, all worthwhile and it has all been a great pleasure.'

Also receiving a BEM is Christopher Cuff, Regional Medical Adviser for the south west and Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group at The Lizard, Cornwall.

Chris first joined the RNLI in 1990 as medical adviser and in 2022 he brought The Lizard lifeboat crew together with 30 doctors from Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust to promote learning in a different environment.

Between 2007 and 2024, he provided support and guidance to the Lifeboat Medical Adviser group across 33 stations in the region.

He said: 'I was surprised and overwhelmed to receive the envelope advising me I was to be honoured by The King. It has been the privilege of my life to volunteer for the RNLI and I am so proud to have been a part of both the charity and, in particular, the Lizard Lifeboat Station. This award is for all of them as much as it is for me for their commitment and dedication to saving lives at sea.'