RLSS UK National Presentation of Honours 2023

NATIONAL PRESENTATION of

HONOURS

2023 Saturday 28 OCTOBER Coombe Abbey, Coventry

Welcome

I

t is my pleasure to welcome you all to the Royal Life Saving Society UK Honours Ceremony, celebrating volunteers across the UK and Ireland, here at the beautiful Coombe Abbey.

As I enter my second year as your President I would like to thank all of you that I have had the good fortune to meet. Our members are our most important asset.

I hope that you all have a fantastic day and get the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones from across the society.

Every year it is inspiring to read the citations documenting the incredible amount of voluntary work that you do, every day, week, month, and year after year. Each and every one of you here today is a true superhero; your work really does enhance the communities in which we live, so everyone can enjoy being in, on and around water safely.

The AGM will follow today’s Honours ceremony and I urge you to stay and welcome our new Deputy President and Trustees. They have committed to serving you for the next three years and I thank them on your behalf.

I look forward to meeting you all over a cup of tea.

So, a huge thank you to everyone - my heroes.

Deborah Hunt

Your President.

Order of Proceedings WELCOME ADDRESS PRESENTATIONS Higher Service and Merit Awards Youth Awards Branch Honours (Service and Merit Honours) SPECIAL AWARDS The Deborah Hunt Trophy 2022 The Mark Smith Trophy 2022 The Stanley Peck Trophy 2022 The Brian Morrissey Trophy 2022 The Ken White Trophy 2022 The Clive Holland Trophy 2022 The Stuart Bailey Trophy 2022 The Young Leaders Award 2022 UK Honorary Life Governor Award COMMONWEALTH AWARDS South Africa Letter of Commendation Service Cross VOTE OF THANKS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Introducing RLSS UK Trustees

The Board of Trustees plays an important role in ensuring the good governance of RLSS UK and steers the future direction of the organisation.

The Trustees are attending Honours today so please take the opportunity to talk to them.

DEBORAH HUNT RLSS UK President Deborah has been a member of the RLSS UK for 50 years.

Having been a trustee of two other organisations, Deborah has vast experience as a Charity Trustee.

A regular official at Lifesaving competitions around the world, Deborah has just returned from the RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Canada.

SONIA REES Honorary Treasurer

BRYAN FINLAY Trustee

HELEN BULL Trustee

Sonia was appointed as a new Trustee in January 2023. Sonia brings with her a wealth of skills and experience to support the society as it progresses its growth agenda.

Bryan has been involved with RLSS UK since he was 13, when he joined his local lifesaving club.

Helen joined RLSS UK as an elected trustee bringing over 20 years of experience in commercial and leisure management.

A qualified accountant since 1990, Sonia has held senior roles in local government, a large publicly owned company providing external audit services across England, and a regional children’s hospice charity.

Sonia is passionate about ‘giving something back’ and was delighted to become a Trustee at RLSS UK.

He is a passionate and proactive volunteer, and spends hours every week delivering lifesaving and water safety training.

Bryan works in the Scottish Ambulance Service’s National Risk and Resilience Department, developing community resuscitation initiatives within communities throughout Eastern Scotland.

Delivering lifeguarding qualifications as an RLSS UK Trainer Assessor, Helen is also a regular swim coach, including open water, for various local clubs.

In 2019, she became the first wheelchair user to qualify as a swim teacher and an RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard (NPLQ).

Helen’s current term ends this year and she is re-standing for election.

"Water brings so much joy and pleasure to many, every child and every adult deserves the opportunity to learn how to enjoy water safely." – David Elliot, Trustee

PETER MOYES Trustee

DAVID ELLIOT Trustee

JAMES LLOYD Trustee

Peter’s strategic leadership experience in the public, private and voluntary sector spans over 20 years. Currently, Peter is the Chief Executive of the Life Skills Education charity, specialising in drug and alcohol education for young people.

Dave has enjoyed the water from a young age.

He was lucky to have the encouragement and support through various organisations which allowed him, through activities such as kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, to experience our amazing coastlines, waterways and lakes.

James is a highly experienced Director with a strong background in board-level leadership, contract management and business growth.

Peter is an active member of the society, having served the Board of Trustees for both RLSS and RLSS UK and was elected President for the period 2013-16. He is also Chairman of Retford and District Lifesaving Club, a coach and competitor at all levels, up to World Championships.

Through his involvement with South Shields Volunteer Lifeguards, Dave has seen first-hand the amazing work the volunteers do and the difference they make to the lives of the club members, along with helping to make the water safe for all to experience.

He is currently the Group Finance Director of a nationally based property development consultancy group. James is also a Non-Executive Director on three NHS Partnership Boards, which are based in Coventry, Essex and Hampshire.

James joined RLSS UK in 2023 to help support the development and growth of the commercial activity and to chair the Commercial Committee.

MARK SMITH Interim Trustee

IAN HUTCHINGS Interim Trustee

As a recent past President, Mark has temporarily returned to the Board of Trustees to provide experienced support. Professionally, Mark works in business strategy, delivering solutions to customer needs. In addition, Mark is a lecturer at a leading business school.

Ian has dedicated more than 50 years of his life to lifesaving, having started teaching it voluntarily with his local swimming club at just 14. Ian went on to become a qualified lifesaving instructor two years later and continues to deliver these essential skills.

As a trainer assessor in lifeguarding, Mark also holds a number of other credentials including multiple masters level qualifications, health and safety certification and is currently just over halfway through a doctoral programme.

Ian has served on the charity’s development commission as well as taking on the role of Chair of the sports development group which he held for six years. He was elected Deputy President of RLSS UK in 2013 and in June 2016, took up the mantle of President.

Both Mark and Ian`s terms end at this year's AGM.

Introducing our youth ambassadors

GEORGINA TOMLINSON

ALEXANDRA PHILLIPS

AMINE BADAOUI

Georgina joined RLSS UK as a Rookie Lifeguard at the age of ten and has been involved in lifesaving and lifesaving sport ever since. She is now a qualified instructor and teaches Rookie Lifeguards herself, as well as volunteering as a lifeguard for RLSS UK at a variety of open water events. Georgina has competed at regional, national and international lifesaving competitions, becoming world youth linethrow champion in 2016.

Alex began her lifesaving journey by completing RLSS UK’s Rookie Lifeguard and Survive & Save programmes. She began teaching young members by attaining a Young Leader award, followed by becoming a lifesaving instructor and NPLQ holder.

Amine has always held a great interest in lifesaving and lifeguarding.

As Youth Advisor she is keen to work with RLSS UK staff and trustees to increase engagement and awareness amongst young people.

Alex is a qualified midwife, having graduated from the University of Nottingham last year.

Her aim is to inspire young members to take on positions of responsibility in order to create a more inclusive and diverse society at all levels.

He is currently in his first year at university, and alongside his role as a Youth Ambassador, Amine is also a qualified lifeguard.

Throughout his term, Amine is excited to get to work with members that have different backgrounds and experiences, promoting the importance of water safety and other key lifesaving skills through the means of events and other activities.

The RLSS UK Youth Ambassador Board, led by Georgina, our Youth Advisor to the board of trustees, is responsible for representing the views of younger RLSS UK members from throughout the UK & Ireland. They strive to ensure that the charity considers issues in lifesaving that affect or are important to young people, and are currently developing a new Youth Development Strategy and ways for young members to network and progress within the organisation.

BHAVIK BAROCHIA

ELSIE SHARKEY

FFION-HÂF DAVIES

Bhavik started his lifesaving journey at the age of eight when he joined his local lifesaving club in Windsor.

He takes an active role in the running of the club, both on the committee and poolside as a lifesaving instructor every week.

Elsie is studying outdoor sports at college and loves being a lifeguard as it gives her the opportunity to save lives and to travel.

Ffion, from Swansea, is currently studying English and Creative Writing at university. Lifesaving has been a part of her life for a long time. She was a Rookie Lifeguard for eight years before qualifying as a pool lifeguard at 16, and is now a Rookie Lifeguard and Lifesaving Instructor.

Since Elsie was younger, she always wanted to be a lifeguard and as soon as she turned 16 she Outside of lifesaving, became one and it was Bhavik works as a scientist, a brilliant opportunity. having completed a PhD Elsie hopes that in in infectious diseases her role as a Youth and he is currently Ambassador she can working as a scientific help prevent loss of life consultant for various in open water swimming, government and nonespecially in summer. government organisations.

In her role on the Youth Ambassador Board, Ffion hopes to help raise the profile of RLSS UK amongst young people and bring drowning prevention education to the fore. With RLSS UK’s work being a part of her life for the past 11 years, Ffion is hoping to encourage many more to follow in her footsteps.

" I want more young people to be involved in lifesaving and for it to be more diverse and accessible to all."

– Isabel Jones, Youth Ambassador

ISABEL JONES

PHOEBE PARRY

SIÂN MCWALTER

Isabel recently undertook her A-Levels and aspires to do an Art Foundation course with the intention of continuing onto a Textile Design degree.

Phoebe is an Aquatics Coordinator for Leeds City Council.

Siân lives in the Highlands in Scotland where she is studying for a BSc Adventure Performance and Coaching at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

She got into lifesaving through the Rookie Lifeguard Programme. She then became an Assistant Lifesaving Instructor around two years ago, and an NPLQ Lifeguard in August 2021. In 2022 she got the amazing opportunity to Lifeguard the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Isabel wants more young people to be involved in lifesaving and for it to be more diverse and accessible to all.

She supports leisure centres with swimming lessons including school swimming. Phoebe is a Swimming Coach and runs a squad of 42 swimmers aged between 11 and 18.

Phoebe was excited to join the Youth Ambassador Board as she recognises the importance of water safety and spreading the message.

As a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to promote the pathway of lifeguarding as a career.

Her journey with RLSS UK started around two years ago when she became a lifeguard at a holiday park, and now works as a lifeguard, swimming teacher and volunteer coach at her local leisure centre.

Siân’s main reasons for joining the Youth Advisory Board were to introduce opportunities such as lifesaving clubs to rural communities such as the Highlands.

Introducing our president’s ambassadors The RLSS UK President’s Ambassadors represent our President within the regions that they are based. They will support the local branches if required and may attend branch meetings and local events and presentations. You can find out more about the President’s Ambassadors on our website.

DAVID WARD East

PAUL MOORE East Midlands

TERRY DRAYCOTT East Midlands

DAVID BROWNE Ireland

RICHARD TIMMS Northern Ireland

ZELAH WEEDY North East

MIKE WARDLE North West

SHEENA HARPER Scotland

JILL BAILEY South

CAVELL BURCHELL South East

SUE HUTCHINGS South West

LIZ MAPSTONE West

STEVE CARTER West Midlands

RLSS UK P r e s e n tat i o n of Honours 2023 RLSS UK LONG SERVICE MEDAL Our highest recognition awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 50 years or more William Burnett

Deborah Hunt

Jill Bailey

Hull & East Yorkshire

Kent

Wessex

Cavell Burchell

Maureen Harrison

Elaine Lewis

Kent

Northumberland & Durham

Wessex

RLSS UK RECOGNITION OF SERVICE Awarded to recognise those individuals who have volunteered for 40 years or more Sandra Massey Derbyshire

Nick Roberts East Wales

Christopher Deering Kent

Mary Clark MBE Lincolnshire

Lynne Holmes

Louise Quimby-Wells-Collins

Dawn Cherrington

Lincolnshire

North & West Yorkshire

Staffordshire

Lynn Billingham

Anne Thewlis

Patricia Tarry

Liverpool & District

Northumberland & Durham

Wessex

David Columbine

James Hay

Manchester & District

Scottish Eastern

Joanne Chadwick

Philip Butler

North & West Yorkshire

Staffordshire

Sydney Holt

Zelah Weedy

Marcia Scott

Lancashire

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Eileen Walsh

Nigel Buck

David Pearsons

Lancashire

Nottinghamshire

Suffolk

Douglas Leech

Derek Hall

Penny Fry

Liverpool & District

Scotland West

Wessex

RLSS UK Honorary UK Life Member Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 35 years or more

RLSS UK Merit Honour Young Lifesaver of the Year The society continues to recognise the work of our younger members (14-24) and each branch has been asked to nominate one young person from within its own area to receive the award

Abbie O’Malley Scottish Eastern

Siân McWalter Scottish Northern

Summer Meek

Cheyenne Goldsmith

Elliot Beckingham

Avon & North Wiltshire

Kent

Somerset

Heather Watson

Amelia Burnett

Hannah Wainer

Derbyshire

Liverpool & District

Suffolk

Kieran Down

Madison Toddington

Benjamin Snelling

East Wales

Mid Yorkshire

Surrey

Kate Doughty

Phillipa Bromley

Sophia Hendey

Essex

North & West Yorkshire

Sussex

Annie Fairburn

Eloise Dickerson-Weedy

Holly Cameron

Hull & East Yorkshire

Northumberland & Durham

Wessex

Ethan Tanner-Rolf

Tia MacPherson

Clara Forson

Isle of Wight

Northumberland & Durham

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

SERVICE HONOURS

Honours within this category are awarded after continuous years of service to the society Camilla Golledge

Emilia Partridge

Kent

North & West Yorkshire

Caroline Holder

Lucinda Partridge

Kent

North & West Yorkshire

Michael Sadler

Laura Purcell

Kent

North & West Yorkshire

Trevor Cruse

Donna Thomas

Ellie Wilson

Avon & North Wiltshire

Kent

North & West Yorkshire

Bethany Stephens

Pippa Verge

Luke Worth

Avon & North Wiltshire

Kent

North & West Yorkshire

Katherine Gartside

Keith Jump

Laura McCann

Derbyshire

Liverpool & District

Northern Ireland

Matthew Kenworthy

Emma Serventi

Alex McCartan

Derbyshire

Liverpool & District

Northern Ireland

Kate Waterfall

Gary Shepherd

Calum McTeer

Derbyshire

Manchester & District

Northern Ireland

Sarah Barrett

Jacob Cawood

Anna Moore

Devon

North & West Yorkshire

Northern Ireland

Kieran Down

Rebecca Davies

Karen Moore

East Wales

North & West Yorkshire

Northern Ireland

Edward Ballard

Joanne Dewire

Kate Moore

Essex

North & West Yorkshire

Northern Ireland

Rhys Collings

Oscar Dewire

Yvonne Smyth

Essex

North & West Yorkshire

Northern Ireland

Kennedy Gorrie

Lily Firm

Liz Appleby

Essex

North & West Yorkshire

Northumberland & Durham

Mary Baldwin

Oliver Furby

Martyn Barnes

Hertfordshire

North & West Yorkshire

Northumberland & Durham

Sarah Gordon

Victoria Greenwood

Alison Bell

Jersey

North & West Yorkshire

Northumberland & Durham

Cheyenne Goldsmith

Emily Jones

Samantha Carpenter

Kent

North & West Yorkshire

Northumberland & Durham

Merit Honour

Certificate of Thanks Can be awarded twice, either after 4 or 8 years’ service to the society

Keith Carr

Carole Storey

Janine Churchill

Northumberland & Durham

Northumberland & Durham

Wessex

Amanda Carr

Kevin Rowland

Benjamin Churchill

Northumberland & Durham

Nottinghamshire

Wessex

Rachel Carroll

Saoirse Coia

James Clarke

Northumberland & Durham

Scotland West

Wessex

Joanne Chandler

Scott Graham

Karen Fletcher

Northumberland & Durham

Scotland West

Wessex

Mark Chandler

Jill Jamieson

Adrian Fountain

Northumberland & Durham

Scotland West

Wessex

Beth Chandler

Andrew Begley

Michael Gibbs

Northumberland & Durham

Somerset

Wessex

Eloise Dickerson-Weedy

Adam Lane

Emily-Jo Hines-Dedman

Northumberland & Durham

Somerset

Wessex

Isadore Dickerson-Weedy

Sam Charlesworth

Michelle Knight

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Wessex

Andrew Evans

Kieran Doorbar

Julie Larner

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Wessex

Lauren Gordon

Molly Kerin

Nathan Mansbridge

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Wessex

Richard Ludlow

Eva Lounds

David Naish

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Wessex

Alfred Meeson

Adrian McDowell

Ian Tautz

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Wessex

Jessica Parker

Ryan Tait

Jenny Wiltshire

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Wessex

Glenn Robson

Hadley Bourner

Steven Allen

Northumberland & Durham

Sussex

West Wales

Jacob Screeton

Holly Curtis

Kathryn Hopkins

Northumberland & Durham

Sussex

West Wales

Derrick Stephenson

George Hall

Abbie Baylis

Northumberland & Durham

Sussex

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Louise Stephenson

Matthew Billings

Northumberland & Durham

Warwickshire

Service Honour

Liam Potts

Andrew Burton

Service Medal

Liverpool & District

Wessex

Awarded to those with 12 years service or more to the society

Toby Shepherd

Tim Harris

Manchester & District

Wessex

Jonathan Bridgewood

Mark Campbell

Emily-Jo Hines-Dedman

Derbyshire

North & West Yorkshire

Wessex

Charlotte Bracchi

Lauren Carroll

Martin Traves

East Wales

Northumberland & Durham

Wessex

Daniel Blacklock

Kathryn Williams

Melanie Yates

Essex

Somerset

Wessex

Stephen Cook

Bridget Chambers

Sue Christopher

Essex

Staffordshire

West Wales

Christopher Luff

Adrian McDowell

Luke Haines

Essex

Staffordshire

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Emma Paramor

Trudie Peel

Simone Inett

Essex

Sussex

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Ewen Wilson

Keith Crothers

Abigail Jones

Essex

Thames Valley

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Norman Leech

Anthony Kershaw

Andrew Uncles

Kent

Thames Valley

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Thomas Wilding

Richard Brady

Lancashire

Wessex

Jo in

...and Ma

ke a Sp la

u s...

sh

Swim 1891m between October and December 2023 (or 76 lengths of a 25m swimming pool) Every participant will receive a medal for their achievement Visit: www.rlss.org.uk

Entry only

£10

per person

SCAN HERE to sign up Thank you to our

2023 SPONSOR

Service Honour

Neil Morgan

Sarah Pawsey

Kent

Suffolk

Helen Treen

Bryan Lopez

North & West Yorkshire

Sussex

Suzanne Selway

Oliver Coleman

Peter Byford

Derbyshire

Northamptonshire

Wessex

Sarah Scotchmer

Daniel Arkley

Simon Moore

Essex

Northumberland & Durham

Wessex

Pieter de Bruin

Brett McIntyre

Richard Butler

Isle of Man

Northumberland & Durham

West Wales

Mark Birch

Lucy Cawley

Isle of Wight

Staffordshire

Bar to Service Medal Awarded to those with at least 16 years’ service to the society

Service Honour

Service Cross

Helen Lawson

Luke Daruvalla

Awarded to those individuals who have supported the society for at least 20 years

Northern Ireland

Wessex

Michelle McCartan

Richard Butler

Northern Ireland

West Wales

David Fielding

Rhianna Rooney

Richard Kedward

Avon & North Wiltshire

Northern Ireland

West Wales

Tanya Bartram

Brett McIntyre

Jacqueline Orrells

Hertfordshire

Northumberland & Durham

West Wales

Stuart Clewlow

Aileen Robson

Hertfordshire

Northumberland & Durham

John London

Gillian Wilkinson

Hertfordshire

Northumberland & Durham

Alan Le Pavoux

Ronan Larkin

Jersey

Republic of Ireland

Awarded to recipients who have served the society for at least 20 years

Marcel Morin

Michael Gregge

Graham Hardy

Jersey

Scottish Eastern

Essex

Martin Fossey

Margaret Crawley

Neil Morgan

Kent

Staffordshire

Kent

Cathy Sedgwick

Louise Johnson

Mark Smith

North & West Yorkshire

Staffordshire

Leicestershire & Rutland

Service Honour

1st Bar to Service Cross

MERIT Honours

Pamela Sharp

Alex Thompson

Northumberland & Durham

Essex

Gillian Wilkinson

Richard Flambard

Northumberland & Durham

Jersey

Michael Gregge

Andrew Griggs

Scottish Eastern

Kent

Steve Carter

Tina Smith

Shropshire

Kent

Teresa Guest

Martyn Steers

Staffordshire

Kent

Richard Divers

Warren Riley

Sussex

Liverpool & District

For contribution at club or branch level

Kate Hall

Michael McCartan

Rita Cummins

Sussex

Northern Ireland

Derbyshire

Marian Yates

Linda Taylor

Molly Emerton

Warwickshire

Northumberland & Durham

Derbyshire

David Fry

Michele Weedy

Richard Hallam

Wessex

Northumberland & Durham

Derbyshire

Christopher Grant

Joseph Welsh

Freddie Postlethwaite

Wessex

Northumberland & Durham

Derbyshire

Mark Davies

Jane Spindler

Joe Scurrah

West Wales

Staffordshire

Derbyshire

Mark Davies

Heather Watson

West Wales

Derbyshire

Tracy Seewoosaha

Robert Gofton

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Devon

Service Honour

2nd Bar to Service Cross Awarded to recipients who have achieved 30 years’ service

Recipients of a merit will have fulfilled the criteria described for each award below:

Certificate of Merit

William Westbrooke Essex

John Ballard

Julie Hill

Essex

Liverpool & District

Simon Hatfield

Cathy Sedgwick

Essex

North & West Yorkshire

Alison Bell

Gordon Gray

Jude Morris

Northumberland & Durham

Scotland West

Sussex

Amanda Carr

Clark MacSephney

Amy Saunters

Northumberland & Durham

Scotland West

Sussex

Keith Carr

Julia Ellison

Ethan Fox

Northumberland & Durham

Scottish Eastern

Wessex

Beth Chandler

Luca DeGregorio

Amelia Percival

Northumberland & Durham

Somerset

Wessex

Cadie Chandler

Kieran Doorbar

Ethan Pilley

Northumberland & Durham

Somerset

Wessex

Joanne Chandler

Alice Doorbar

Amanda Wise-Hall

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Wessex

Mark Chandler

Adrian McDowell

Gareth Abbott-Haigh

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

West Wales

Eloise Dickerson-Weedy

Michelle Rollinson

Sue Christopher

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

West Wales

Isadore Dickerson-Weedy

Neve Maguire

Daisy Brooks

Northumberland & Durham

Suffolk

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

David Elliott

Amelia Pearce

Megan Clifford

Northumberland & Durham

Suffolk

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Lauren Gordon

Adam Rust

Ellen Forson

Northumberland & Durham

Suffolk

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Clare Kay

Caroline Rust

Georgina Forson

Northumberland & Durham

Suffolk

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Tia MacPherson

Charlotte Conway

Rosie Forson

Northumberland & Durham

Surrey

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Nicola Mowbray

Hadley Bourner

Jasper Harding

Northumberland & Durham

Sussex

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Derrick Stephenson

Sam Clark

Benjamin Harper

Northumberland & Durham

Sussex

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Louise Stephenson

Cassie Dibley

James Inett

Northumberland & Durham

Sussex

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

David Donaldson

Sophia Hendey

Rebecca Leahey

Scotland West

Sussex

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Merit Honour

Lauren Carroll

Peter Halifax

Certificate of Recognition

North & West Yorkshire

Staffordshire

Richard Ludlow

Nicola Harper

For continuing contribution at club or branch level

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Anne Thewlis

Frederick Cooke

Northumberland & Durham

Sussex

Kate Blake

Ronan Larkin

Bhavik Barochia

Derbyshire

Republic of Ireland

Thames Valley

Calum Briggs

Jim Anderson

Anthony Kershaw

Derbyshire

Scotland West

Thames Valley

Kevin Mosley

Duncan Evans

Peter Webb

Derbyshire

Scotland West

Thames Valley

Julie Bardoe

James Gallacher

John Humphreys

Kent

Scotland West

Wessex

Sheila Butcher

Iona Halford

Nicholas Sparrowhawk

Kent

Scotland West

Wessex

Rosemary Davies

Georgina Howells

Richard Butler

Kent

Scotland West

West Wales

Deborah Kasper

Alistair Jardine

Jacqueline Orrells

Kent

Scotland West

West Wales

Denise McWilliams

Susan Pearson

Natasha Lane

Kent

Scotland West

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

George Payne

Catherine Perrett

Kent

Scotland West

Christopher Willson

Lynne Sinclair

Kent

Scotland West

Stuart Ainscough

Rachel Taylor

Liverpool & District

Scotland West

Chris Groom

Margaret Crawley

North & West Yorkshire

Staffordshire

Helen Treen

Carl Simeson

North & West Yorkshire

Mid Yorkshire

Merit Honour

Merit Honour

Merit Honour

Medal of Distinction

BAR TO MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

Medal of honour

Recipients of this honour have carried out outstanding work at club, branch or regional level or contributed at a national level

This medal is awarded for continuing outstanding work at club, branch or regional level and/or notable contribution at national level

This medal is awarded for exceptional contribution at club, branch or regional level, and/or notable work at national level

Emma Fishman

Andrew Fooks

Lorraine Buttery

Kent

Kent

Cornwall

Frances Payne

David Williams

Michele Weedy

Kent

Liverpool & District

Northumberland & Durham

Victoria Wilkinson

Pamela Sharp

Murray Robb

Kent

Northumberland & Durham

Scottish Northern

Maurice Kilmister

Linda Taylor

Alan Sutherland

Lincolnshire

Northumberland & Durham

Somerset

Daniel Arkley

Zelah Weedy

Teresa Myatt

Northumberland & Durham

Northumberland & Durham

George Lee

Gillian Wilkinson

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Northumberland & Durham

Northumberland & Durham

Aileen Robson

Ruth Martin

Northumberland & Durham

Staffordshire

Antony Coia

Jane Spindler

Scotland West

Staffordshire

Edward McGowan

Mark Shakles

Scotland West

Wessex

Mark McKay Scotland West

Ian Sinclair Scotland West

David Horton Staffordshire

Trudie Peel Sussex

Lee Wright Sussex

10 YEARS OF

Drowning Prevention Week

2023

marked the tenth consecutive year that RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week took place and over the years the campaign has grown and reached more people, with 2023 being no different.

Special awards The Deborah Hunt award for Equality Diversity and Inclusion Helen Bull Sussex Helen has campaigned tirelessly to prove that all of our members can achieve almost anything they wish, and that no disability should hinder that.

As a role model and a member of the board, Helen continues to ensure that any decisions made are compliant with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and disability aware.

As the Trustee Lead for Safeguarding, Helen has worked hard to ensure that our youngest and disadvantaged members are protected.

Helen is a shining example to us all of what can be achieved.

A worthy first winner of this new trophy.

Stanley Peck Area Organiser of the Year

The Mark Smith Trophy

David Slade Sussex

Alan Sutherland Somerset In 2020 Alan was elected to the RLSS UK Board of Trustees and took on the role of Trustee Lead for Sport. Under Alan’s leadership the Sport Action Group was formed. This highly qualified team of lifesaving sport experts led by Alan has worked hard to change the standing of sport in our charity.

Alan’s outstanding leadership and organisational skills make him a worthy recipient of the Mark Smith Trophy.

David started lifesaving classes at school in Portsmouth in 1957, achieving his Bronze Medallion in 1959. He also worked with Portsmouth and Southsea lifeguards.

In 1960 he started teaching and became an examiner in 1966. When working as a lifeguard, David rescued over 50 people.

In 1967 David started competing at the National Lifesaving Championships, eventually becoming a Master in later life.

David had various location changes with work, moving to Hertfordshire, Cheshire, Norfolk and finally Sussex.

He taught lifesaving in swimming clubs in Hertfordshire and Norfolk, growing one club to 118 members. David was Branch President on four occasions in Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and twice for Sussex.

Whilst living in Norfolk David worked with Norfolk Police and Fire and Rescue, to deliver lifesaving education for ten years. He also worked with the Norfolk Education Authority to ensure teachers were delivering preliminary resuscitation, with over 1,500 teachers passing.

In 1992 David became the Chairman of Horsham LSC where he remained for 25 years, with the club averaging 100 awards each year, and David achieving his 50th Bronze Medallion.

In 2019 David started the new Littlehampton LSC making strides with 121 awards gained in 2022, promoting water safety at schools and fetes, raising thousands for the club.

schedule to aim for all manikins to be replaced over a 3-to-4-year cycle, with the first 16 delivered in September 2022.

From April onwards the various teams were able to deliver classes with 505 people attending during the year.

So successful were the teams that Donna was able to recruit two trainers who wished to participate, and invited both to shadow her during 2022 with the intention that they would establish teams in their own areas by the start of 2024.

A feature of the workshops is the voluntary donations made to the branch by participants which totalled over £940.

Donna works tirelessly in leading her team and driving forward the work of the branch and it must be recognised that this as a significant achievement off the back of the impact Covid restrictions had on face-to-face workshops in 2020 and 2021. Donna is a very worthy recipient of the award.

Brian Morrissey Outreach Cup

The ken white trophy

Donna Thomas

Sophia Hendey Sussex

Kent In 2022 Donna Thomas coordinated the re-establishment of the Branch Outreach Programme following the lifting of Covid restrictions. During 2021 and 2022 Donna kept the team of trainers engaged through virtual plans where they discussed the resources needed to start face-to-face delivery.

As a result of these meetings Donna worked with the Branch Treasurer to develop an equipment replacement

Sophia was a founding member of Littlehampton Wave Life Saving Club (LSC) when it was formed in 2019. Up to January 2022, she had taken all of the Survive & Save syllabus exams and was too young to embark on any further qualifications. Even so, she hardly missed any club sessions throughout 2022 and acted as a mentor for newer members, and as a casualty at the pool, lake, and beach, also helping as casualty for Horsham LSC members.

Sophia has also been very active between 2020-2022 supporting the club outreach activities taking her turn in mascot Perry during Drowning Prevention Week and last year at East Preston Charity Fete. She was determined to do something special to help the club and in October with her father, she undertook a sponsored abseil down the 132m high Brighton i360 Tower and raised £1,017 for the club.

Sophia was awarded the Littlehampton Young Sports Person of 2022 primarily for her LSC involvement. The club entered competitions for the first time in 2022 and Sophia was a member of the winning Sussex Branch Mixed Pairs.

Clive Holland Trophy Hastings & St.Leonards Voluntary Lifeguards

provided safety and first aid cover for a professional music video and taken part in ‘Safety in Action’, a week-long programme for young people in Years 5 and 6, with over 1,000 young people attending.

Regularly meeting with their local MPs, the club ensures that its role within the local community is known and the importance of water safety is recognised.

For its 50th anniversary the club held its own lifesaving competition with a raffle and celebration day inviting local dignitaries, as well as current and past members to showcase all areas of the club’s work.

A team of five club members successfully completed a cross channel relay swim, embracing inclusivity with a member of the team taking part being a wheelchair user.

Sussex Hastings & St.Leonards Voluntary Lifeguards celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2022 and had an exceptional year.

Weekly pool training sessions had been as low as six members, however, in 2022 they increased their this to 30. The club hosted and delivered three NVBLQ courses enabling the local RNLI to facilitate the local beach lifeguard service, as well as delivering two OWL courses enabling the local aqua park to have qualified lifeguards.

Two club members received the Platinum Champions Awards during the Queens Platinum Jubilee for their volunteering.

The club provided first aid and water safety cover for local events utilising their 4.6m rescue boat. They have also

The Stuart Bailey Trophy Open Water Rescue Scotland West Open Water Rescue (OWR) was formed in 2013 by a group of friends who had a vast amount of experience on lifeboats and various types of open water. OWR has now been serving the Scottish Community for ten years.

As an RLSS UK Lifeguard Unit based in Glasgow; their primary focus is water search and rescue, flooding, and waterbased activities. The OWR committee has dedicated its time working in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFRS), Police Scotland, and the Local Authorities, as well as various Government Agencies

as well as various Government Agencies and Community Groups.

Currently OWR can be deployed to incidents by any of the organisations on the Community Asset Register to missing person searches, flooding and major incidents or anything deemed necessary by the services. The committee has dedicated a lot of time and effort to raise funding and grants to ensure that the required equipment meets national standards, and all volunteers have the necessary boats, canoes, kayaks, bikes, PPE and lifesaving equipment.

The committee has helped develop a partnership approach to water safety groups in six local authority areas in conjunction with Water Safety Scotland, SFRS and local authorities.

The volunteers also recognised a need in Scotland for more organised and professional rescue services at various events. Working with sports national bodies OWR has improved safety at open water events in Scotland. Operating as an affiliated RLSS UK Search and Rescue Unit, this group was formed as a not-forprofit voluntary group, reinvesting any equipment donations and income back into OWR, to maintain good equipment and high standards. OWR Scotland are very worthy of the Stuart Bailey Trophy.

Young Leader Clara Forson Worcestershire & Herefordshire Clara is a member of South Worcester Lifesaving Club and she holds the position of Junior Captain. She has responsibility for presenting the views of the younger members to the committee, ensuring they have a voice and are enjoying their time at the club. Clara is a qualified Rookie Lifeguard and NLA Instructor and teaches a class every week; she can be relied upon to take over responsibility of the teaching lanes if the senior leaders aren’t present.

Clara has completed work experience from college at RLSS UK HQ for a week and really impressed the Senior Leadership Team with her work ethic and ideas. She has organised a Rookie Lifeguard Gala between local clubs, writing the rules and designing the participation certificates for the event.

Five clubs took part, and it was a very successful evening. During the event Clara officiated and is now keen to become qualified.

Clara is a great role model for younger members, is always willing to help and is a great asset to the club.

UK Honourary Life Governor Mark Smith Leicestershire & Rutland Mark has been an amazing ambassador for RLSS UK. 2022 was Mark’s last year as the RLSS UK President, a role that he completed with remarkable expertise.

Last year, Mark was honoured with his RLSS UK Honorary UK Vice President award so this is well deserved.

Louise Quimby-Wells-Collins North & West Yorkshire During 2022, Louise`s 40th year with the society, she continued as the Chair of RLSS UK North & West Yorkshire

and due to a vacant post, is also the Secretary/Administrator of the branch.

Louise has organised local competitions and events, delivered a Save a Life course to 100 Masons in 2022 and fundraised, raising over £1,600 for RLSS UK. Louise is the Deputy Safeguarding Officer and the Finance Officer for Leeds Lifesaving Club. She was the Regional Heat Organiser for the RLSS UK National Lifesaving Yorkshire heats and the organiser for the RLSS UK National Lifesaving Championship finals in 2022. Her outstanding dedication has undoubtedly contributed to the rebuilding of lifesaving, post Covid.

Here at RLSS UK, we’re constantly inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers throughout the UK and Ireland. Our annual Honours ceremony is a great opportunity to say a huge thank you to a very special group of people, but we also like to acknowledge and recognise our volunteers all year round. Supporters of RLSS UK can log the valuable time that they give for free to support the work of the charity, whether that be one hour a week, or giving up a couple of weekends to support local community events.

Our William Henry Award Scheme is one way of recognising the constant day-to-day support that RLSS UK volunteers give to the charity, so if you’d like to, please remember to log your volunteering hours so that we can say thank you.

We definitely recognise that people have all kinds of motivations for volunteering for RLSS UK, and not everyone wants to receive the certificates and badges we will send out to celebrate your contribution and say thank you, but we want to continue to make sure that our volunteers’ efforts are appreciated and that you receive that recognition should you want to.

The William Henry Awards are also a good way for us to be able to demonstrate the amount of amazing volunteering that goes on around the UK and Ireland, as well as the variety of activities our volunteers take part in to promote RLSS UK and lifesaving in their local communities.

RLSS UK simply would not exist without the support and devotion of our volunteers so thank you once again for all your hard work and if you’d like to, please do go ahead and log those William Henry volunteering hours.

Commonwealth awards

South Africa Letter of Commendation Toby Finneran United Kingdom On Sunday 7 May 2023, tourist Toby was walking along Cape Town’s Seapoint Promenade, when he noticed a teenager holding a rescue buoy about to enter the water. He then saw that another youngster was in trouble in the waves just behind the rocks, having been pulled out by a strong rip tide.

Toby, an Ironman competitor and strong swimmer, grabbed the rescue buoy and swam out 50 metres, through a gap in the rocks. He secured the boy, whilst being pounded by large waves and fought against the strong rip current. After several waves crashed over them, he swam the boy back to safety, using the rocks to steady himself against the strong current. Once the boy was safe, Toby quickly administered vital first aid to another teenage boy who had tried to rescue his friend, only to be battered by the sea and washed up face down on the beach.

The Letter of Commendation is presented on behalf of Lifesaving South Africa, for Toby’s unhesitating bravery in rescuing the youngster despite hazardous conditions.

Commonwealth Service Cross Richard Oddy United Kingdom Richard has been carrying out the society’s annual financial examination since 2010. Having our annual accounts examined is a requirement of the UK Charity Commission.

Richard acts as our independent financial advisor in a voluntary capacity, this is in addition to his role as treasurer for the Wessex Branch of RLSS UK.

We are delighted to launch our new contactless donation platform GiveTap. GiveTap is a simple, easy and trusted way to collect contactless donations anywhere by a simple tap on a phone!

Over 450 charities are using GiveTap to collect contactless donations, boosting fundraising around the UK and Ireland in a growing, cashless society.

We have already taken numerous donations via our contactless app throughout many areas of the UK and Ireland. We are looking forward to helping you to use the platform to increase donations.

To find out more information and to register to use the contactless system to raise funds in your local area, email fundraising@rlss.org.uk and a member of the Fundraising team will be in touch.

Fundraising and donations help us to achieve our vision to have nations without drowning where everyone can safely enjoy being in, on or near water.

No child should drown.

Donations mean we can continue to provide expert lifesaving education in the UK and Ireland, protecting families from the sudden and devastating impact of drowning.

Photographs

Thank you to our photographer, Matt Pereira, who has returned to the Presentation of Honours for his ninth year.

Photographs will be available to purchase in the coming week, visit bit.ly/RLSSUK23. All proceeds will go to RLSS UK.

Digital downloads £10

Prints £13.50

You can see more of Matt’s excellent work here: mattpereira.co.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

11 - 17 DEC 2023

23 - 24 MAR 2024

15 - 22 JUNE 2024

INSPIRING GENERATIONS to enjoy water safely since 1891

RLSS UK, Red Hill House, 227 London Road, Worcestershire WR5 2JG W. rlss.org.uk | E. info@rlss.org.uk | T. 0300 3230 096

Registered Charity (England and Wales 1046060, Scotland SC037912).

Private Limited by Guarantee Company (3033781). Fundraising Standards Board Member.