VOTE

RLSS UK will have elections for General Trustees for a term of three years. Make sure you use your opportunity as a member to vote.

· RLSS UK members (except Lifeguard members) aged 16 years or over are entitled to vote.

· Without your vote you can’t choose who is elected onto the Trustee Board

· Without your vote you cannot approve resolutions that affect our charity governance

· Without your vote you miss the opportunity to make a crucial difference as to what decisions are made in the future

In December’s issue of Lifesavers magazine we introduced you to some of our fantastic recipients from Honours 2022. We would like to tell the stories of even more of those who received an Honour in 2022.

International Life Saving Federation of Europe HONOUR

Janet Wilson

Member of the European Order of Lifesaving United Kingdom

Janet Wilson was honored with Member of the European Order of Lifesaving of International Lifesaving Federation of Europe (ILSE) by decision of the General Assembly 2021.

In addition, to Janet’s incredible contribution to lifesaving in the UK she has contributing her time, skills and knowledge to lifesaving across the Commonwealth and the Globe.

Janet was the Secretary of the ILSE Education Commission 2008-2016. In 2016 up to 2021 Janet acted as the Chair of the Commission. The ILSE Education Commission is dedicated to the promotion and professional development of lifesavers and lifeguards. Janet’s involvement in the ILSE commission, spanning 13 years has been integral to the delivery of this important work.

In recent years the Education Commission became the new Drowning Prevention Commission. The motivation to renew the Commission was to strengthen drowning prevention aspects within ILSE as well as the coordination of drowning prevention activities across the commissions. Janet as Chair led on this transition.

UK Honorary Vice President

Awarded for a supreme level of contribution to the Society. This Honour is awarded to someone who has chaired several national committees over a period of time with outstanding ability, or made a similar supreme level of contribution to the Society at the highest level.

Stephanie Andrews

Wessex

Stephanie, a lifesaver for over 50 years, was encouraged by her mother, who was heavily involved in the Society. In 1973 Stephanie joined Hounslow Lifesaving Club and became an outstanding competitor, spending many happy days at the National Lifeguard and National Lifesaving Championships.

She also started on her journey as a Lifesaving Sport Official, which took her to the very top internationally. She is a highly respected International A judge and has been appointed as Deputy Referee at a number of ILS World Lifesaving Championships. Stephanie was elected to the ILS Sports commission and played an important part in re-writing the rules and giving RLSS UK and Ireland a voice at the highest level of sport management. Stephanie has twice been elected as and RLSS UK Trustee and, for a number years, the only elected female represented. During her time, she wanted to ensure that members’ voices were always heard. Currently the Convenor of the College of Referees, her lasting commitment makes Stephanie a very worthy recipient of this award.

Mark Smith

Nottingham

Mark joined the Colwick Park club and with two more members set about transforming it. He soon realised that lifeguards and members could earn money for themselves and the club by lifeguarding events. Mark is responsible for giving a large number of young people fantastic experiences and life skills that many still use today.

As a Board member, Mark used his skills to help with marketing and business issues. Six years ago he was elected as Deputy President. In 2019 Mark became the President of RLSS UK, with a clear vision of what he hoped to achieve. Five months later Covid hit, and shortly after the Chair of the Board resigned. Without hesitation Mark stepped up and has led the Board ever since with dignity and expertise.

Not only the youngest ever President of RLSS UK, no other President has had to deal with the issues that the last three years brought. Mark has been amazing, his leadership outstanding and he has led with a clear vision. Mark is a very worthy recipient of this award.

Commonwealth Honorary Life Member

Cavell Burchell

United Kingdom

Cavell has been involved at national level of the UK Branch of the Society for a number of years having held elected and appointed offices (in his early years) on both the RLSS UK Management Board as a Branch representative and Chairman of both the Sports Events and Marketing and the Education Committees. He has previously held national appointments as a former Senior Tutor of the Society and also as an NTA in all disciplines. Cavell’s involvement is also at Branch level where he has held various offices over the last 30 years including most recently seven years as Chairman until 2010. He has also been an active part of the South East Region as both a Branch representative and as Vice-Chairman.

Commonwealth Service Order

Michael Dunn

United Kingdom

Mike was employed as an RLSS UK member of staff from 2006 until 2021, providing in excess of 15 years and eight months service. Much of that time Mike continued as an RLSS UK volunteer for his local lifesaving club.

During his employment Mike was dedicated to supporting work through RLSS and international work benefitting other branches. In 2010 and 2016 Mike was instrumental in the both reviews of the Bronze Medallion. An award that continues to aid the delivery of lifesaving across the Commonwealth.

Mike was also one of the major developers of the Aquatic Survival Programme. Aiding the relationship with the RNLI International Team, advising the team on the development, evaluation and monitoring of the programme in Zanzibar.

Commonwealth Service Order

Adrian Lole

United Kingdom

Adrian was employed as an RLSS UK member of staff from 2001 until 2019, providing in excess of 17 years and six months service.

During his employment Adrian was dedicated to supporting work through RLSS and international work benefitting other branches. In 2010 and 2016 Adrian was instrumental in the both reviews of the Bronze Medallion. An award that continues to aid the delivery of lifesaving across the Commonwealth.

Adrian was appointed as the UK Representative on the 125 Anniversary Committee, providing invaluable support to the RLSS Office in the organisation and facilitation of 125 events in London. Adrian has been an avid champion for lifesaving sport and in 2019 led the bid to bring the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships to the UK and his team ran and organised the event.

Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award

Professor Greg Whyte

World-renowned Sports Scientist, physical activity expert, and former Olympian, set himself a mammoth challenge in July to swim 125 miles of the Upper Thames in four days, a Guinness World Record attempt, whilst raising money for RLSS UK and RNLI. Greg is used to training celebrities such as David Walliams and Davina McCall on their charity challenges, but this time it was all about his own strength and endurance. Before the challenge, he said: “The key message for me, is this: one person drowns every 20 hours in the UK and water safety is central to reducing this figure. Unfortunately, only one in five children have received any formal water safety education. By tackling this enormous challenge, I am aiming to raise funds to supportthe RLSS UK and RNLI to improve water safety education and reduce the tragedy of drowning.”