Workington RNLI volunteers were congratulated for their service by Cumbria’s Lord Lieutenant Alexander Scott.
Mr Scott attended an event in the town to present King’s Coronation medals to crew members of the lifeboat who have been volunteering with the charity for over five years.
Twenty-four members of Workington RNLI qualified for the King’s Coronation Medal.
He also presented long service medals to Richard Glynn, Graeme Lawson and Lee Hallam for 20 years with the charity. Ian Cormack also received a medal for 20 years service, but could not attend the event.
Mr Scott said: “Those awarded medals have given over 460 years of service to the RNLI and have assisted many hundreds of people, some of whom would have undoubtably lost their lives without such assistance.
“The nation owes you a huge debt of gratitude and I hope you will treasure these medals as a mark of the respect in which you are all held.
“There has been a lifeboat based in Workington for 96 years, so that respect extends back to all of those people from the town that have crewed the many different lifeboats that have served here in that time.
“I also thank the newer members of the crew that are here today, but who have not served long enough to qualify for a medal, it will be up to you to carry forward their proud tradition and maintain the service into the future.”
He also paid tribute to the Workington RNLI fundraisers, whose work over the last 12 months has contributed £39,000 to the charity.
The 30 volunteers hold events, have a weekly market stall in the town and pop-up shop, plus attend shows and other events.
He said: “This amazing total is among the very best in the country delivered by fundraising groups without a proper retail shop.
“Such an excellent outcome is the result of long hours running collections and fundraising events and regular windswept days at their market stall.
“Unfortunately, the criteria for the award of medals cannot extend to everyone that volunteers, but their magnificent dedication and long service is equally deserving of the nation’s respect and my thanks.”
He also gave thanks to the families of the crew, whose tolerance and support for their loved ones should also be praised, he said.
He added: “Quite apart from the disruption caused by the regular lifeboat training commitment, which absorbs time that otherwise might be spent on family matters, being close to someone that is perpetually carrying a pager and liable to be called out, at any time of the day or night, to go to sea for an unknown purpose in unknown conditions for an unknown period is not a normal situation.”
It was the first official event held by Workington RNLI since the death of its chairman Bob McLaughlin in October – and the first since 1978 without him.
Mr Scott said: “Bob volunteered for the RNLI for over 62 years – an incredible achievement. I’m sure his spirit will be looking down. He will be long remembered.”
Richard, 50, Lee, 53, and Graeme, 52, all said they volunteered with the RNLI to give something back to the community.
The volunteers, who have dedicated thousands of hours to the charity, said they couldn’t choose one standout moment from their time with the RNLI. The trio have all been part of rescues where someone’s life has been saved.
Workington RNLI operates all-weather lifeboat Dorothy May White and inshore lifeboat John F Mortimer.
Since Dorothy May White was commissioned in April 2017, she has launched 110 times and helped 95 people. John F Mortimer, donated in May 2014, has launched on service 69 times and helped 55 people including one life saved.
Tim Chittenden, Workington RNLI operations manager, said: “It was a great honour to have Mr Scott attend our event.
“The RNLI would be nothing with its volunteers and we are extremely proud of our crew members who received the medals. We are extremely proud of all our crew and thankful for their dedication.
“As a charity, the RNLI could not deliver its mission of Saving Lives at Sea without the help of our fundraisers. We are one crew.”
Medal recipients
- Karl Fowler
- Alun James
- Gary Lawson
- Graeme Lawson
- Ian Cormack
- John Stobbart
- John Thompson
- Joe Birkett
- Josh Reid
- Lee Hallam
- Lee Moore
- Martin Gilmore
- Michael Cowling
- Michael Shepherd
- Pat Carr
- Peter Hall
- Richard Glynn
- Stephen Howard
- Stephen McAllister
- Steven Wood
- Stuart Fawcett
- Tom Ditchburn
- Willie McQuire
- Tim Chittenden
Join Workington RNLI
Workington RNLI would love to welcome more volunteers to join the organisation. It is looking for shore and sea-going crew, launch authorities and chairman of the Lifeboat Management Committee.
For more information about volunteer roles, visit https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/how-you-can-volunteer
To apply for the chair of Lifeboat Management Committee, visit https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/chair-of-the-lifeboat-management-group-workington-579168.html
