RLSS UK National Presentation of Honours 2023

Welcome

It 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

SONIA REES Honorary Treasurer

BRYAN FINLAY Trustee

HELEN BULL 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

PETER MOYES Trustee

DAVID ELLIOT Trustee

JAMES LLOYD Trustee

"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

MARK SMITH 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.

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 HUTCHINGS Interim Trustee

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.

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

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

ALEXANDRA PHILLIPS

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.

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.

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

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.

AMINE BADAOUI

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

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.

Outside of lifesaving, Bhavik works as a scientist, having completed a PhD in infectious diseases and he is currently working as a scientific consultant for various government and nongovernment organisations.

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

Since Elsie was younger, she always wanted to be a lifeguard and as soon as she turned 16 she became one and it was a brilliant opportunity.

Elsie hopes that in her role as a Youth Ambassador she can help prevent loss of life in open water swimming, especially in summer.

DAVIES

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.

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.

ELSIE SHARKEY

FFION-HÂF

ISABEL JONES

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

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.

Phoebe is an Aquatics Coordinator for Leeds City Council.

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.

SIÂN MCWALTER

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). 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.

PHOEBE PARRY

" 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

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

Presentation 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 Hull & East Yorkshire

Cavell Burchell Kent

Deborah Hunt Kent

Maureen Harrison Northumberland & Durham

Jill Bailey

Wessex

Elaine Lewis 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

Lincolnshire

Lynn Billingham

Liverpool & District

RLSS UK Honorary UK Life Member

Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 35 years or more

Sydney Holt

Lancashire

Eileen Walsh

Lancashire

Douglas Leech

Liverpool & District

Louise Quimby-Wells-Collins

North & West Yorkshire

Anne Thewlis

Northumberland & Durham

Dawn Cherrington

Staffordshire

Patricia Tarry

Wessex

David Columbine

Manchester & District

Joanne Chadwick

North & West Yorkshire

Zelah Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Nigel Buck

Nottinghamshire

Derek Hall

Scotland West

James Hay

Scottish Eastern

Philip Butler

Staffordshire

Marcia Scott

Staffordshire

David Pearsons

Suffolk

Penny Fry

Wessex

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

Summer Meek

Avon & North Wiltshire

Heather Watson

Derbyshire

Kieran Down

East Wales

Kate Doughty

Essex

Annie Fairburn

Hull & East Yorkshire

Ethan Tanner-Rolf

Isle of Wight

Cheyenne Goldsmith

Kent

Amelia Burnett

Liverpool & District

Madison Toddington

Mid Yorkshire

Phillipa Bromley

North & West Yorkshire

Eloise Dickerson-Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Tia MacPherson

Northumberland & Durham

Abbie O’Malley

Scottish Eastern

Siân McWalter

Scottish Northern

Elliot Beckingham

Somerset

Hannah Wainer

Suffolk

Benjamin Snelling

Surrey

Sophia Hendey

Sussex

Holly Cameron

Wessex

Clara Forson

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

SERVICE HONOURS

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

Merit Honour Certificate of Thanks

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

Trevor Cruse

Avon & North Wiltshire

Bethany Stephens

Avon & North Wiltshire

Katherine Gartside

Derbyshire

Matthew Kenworthy

Derbyshire

Kate Waterfall

Derbyshire

Sarah Barrett

Devon

Kieran Down

East Wales

Edward Ballard

Essex

Rhys Collings

Essex

Kennedy Gorrie

Essex

Mary Baldwin

Hertfordshire

Sarah Gordon

Jersey

Cheyenne Goldsmith

Kent

Camilla Golledge

Kent

Caroline Holder

Kent

Michael Sadler

Kent

Donna Thomas

Kent

Pippa Verge

Kent

Keith Jump

Liverpool & District

Emma Serventi

Liverpool & District

Gary Shepherd

Manchester & District

Jacob Cawood

North & West Yorkshire

Rebecca Davies

North & West Yorkshire

Joanne Dewire

North & West Yorkshire

Oscar Dewire

North & West Yorkshire

Lily Firm

North & West Yorkshire

Oliver Furby

North & West Yorkshire

Victoria Greenwood

North & West Yorkshire

Emily Jones

North & West Yorkshire

Emilia Partridge

North & West Yorkshire

Lucinda Partridge

North & West Yorkshire

Laura Purcell

North & West Yorkshire

Ellie Wilson

North & West Yorkshire

Luke Worth

North & West Yorkshire

Laura McCann

Northern Ireland

Alex McCartan

Northern Ireland

Calum McTeer

Northern Ireland

Anna Moore

Northern Ireland

Karen Moore

Northern Ireland

Kate Moore

Northern Ireland

Yvonne Smyth

Northern Ireland

Liz Appleby

Northumberland & Durham

Martyn Barnes

Northumberland & Durham

Alison Bell

Northumberland & Durham

Samantha Carpenter

Northumberland & Durham

Keith Carr

Northumberland & Durham

Amanda Carr

Northumberland & Durham

Rachel Carroll

Northumberland & Durham

Joanne Chandler

Northumberland & Durham

Mark Chandler

Northumberland & Durham

Beth Chandler

Northumberland & Durham

Eloise Dickerson-Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Isadore Dickerson-Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Andrew Evans

Northumberland & Durham

Lauren Gordon

Northumberland & Durham

Richard Ludlow

Northumberland & Durham

Alfred Meeson

Northumberland & Durham

Jessica Parker

Northumberland & Durham

Glenn Robson

Northumberland & Durham

Jacob Screeton

Northumberland & Durham

Derrick Stephenson

Northumberland & Durham

Louise Stephenson

Northumberland & Durham

Carole Storey

Northumberland & Durham

Kevin Rowland

Nottinghamshire

Saoirse Coia

Scotland West

Scott Graham

Scotland West

Jill Jamieson

Scotland West

Andrew Begley

Somerset

Adam Lane

Somerset

Sam Charlesworth

Staffordshire

Kieran Doorbar

Staffordshire

Molly Kerin

Staffordshire

Eva Lounds

Staffordshire

Adrian McDowell

Staffordshire

Ryan Tait

Staffordshire

Hadley Bourner

Sussex

Holly Curtis

Sussex

George Hall

Sussex

Matthew Billings

Warwickshire

Janine Churchill

Wessex

Benjamin Churchill

Wessex

James Clarke

Wessex

Karen Fletcher

Wessex

Adrian Fountain

Wessex

Michael Gibbs

Wessex

Emily-Jo Hines-Dedman

Wessex

Michelle Knight

Wessex

Julie Larner

Wessex

Nathan Mansbridge

Wessex

David Naish

Wessex

Ian Tautz

Wessex

Jenny Wiltshire

Wessex

Steven Allen

West Wales

Kathryn Hopkins

West Wales

Abbie Baylis

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Service Honour Service Medal

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

Jonathan Bridgewood

Derbyshire

Charlotte Bracchi

East Wales

Daniel Blacklock

Essex

Stephen Cook

Essex

Christopher Luff

Essex

Emma Paramor

Essex

Ewen Wilson

Essex

Norman Leech

Kent

Thomas Wilding

Lancashire

Liam Potts

Liverpool & District

Toby Shepherd

Manchester & District

Mark Campbell

North & West Yorkshire

Lauren Carroll

Northumberland & Durham

Kathryn Williams

Somerset

Bridget Chambers

Staffordshire

Adrian McDowell

Staffordshire

Trudie Peel

Sussex

Keith Crothers

Thames Valley

Anthony Kershaw

Thames Valley

Richard Brady

Wessex

Andrew Burton

Wessex

Tim Harris

Wessex

Emily-Jo Hines-Dedman

Wessex

Martin Traves

Wessex

Melanie Yates

Wessex

Sue Christopher

West Wales

Luke Haines

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Simone Inett

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Abigail Jones

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Andrew Uncles

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

1891m

1891m

between October and December 2023 (or 76 lengths of a 25m swimming pool)

Every participant will receive a medal for their achievement

Entry only £10 per person

Service Honour Bar to Service Medal

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

Suzanne Selway

Derbyshire

Sarah Scotchmer

Essex

Pieter de Bruin

Isle of Man

Mark Birch

Isle of Wight

Service Honour Service Cross

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

David Fielding

Avon & North Wiltshire

Tanya Bartram

Hertfordshire

Stuart Clewlow

Hertfordshire

John London

Hertfordshire

Alan Le Pavoux

Jersey

Marcel Morin

Jersey

Martin Fossey

Kent

Cathy Sedgwick

North & West Yorkshire

Neil Morgan

Kent

Helen Treen

North & West Yorkshire

Oliver Coleman

Northamptonshire

Daniel Arkley

Northumberland & Durham

Brett McIntyre

Northumberland & Durham

Lucy Cawley

Staffordshire

Helen Lawson

Northern Ireland

Michelle McCartan

Northern Ireland

Rhianna Rooney

Northern Ireland

Brett McIntyre

Northumberland & Durham

Aileen Robson

Northumberland & Durham

Gillian Wilkinson

Northumberland & Durham

Ronan Larkin

Republic of Ireland

Michael Gregge

Scottish Eastern

Margaret Crawley

Staffordshire

Louise Johnson

Staffordshire

Sarah Pawsey

Suffolk

Bryan Lopez

Sussex

Peter Byford

Wessex

Simon Moore

Wessex

Richard Butler

West Wales

Luke Daruvalla

Wessex

Richard Butler

West Wales

Richard Kedward

West Wales

Jacqueline Orrells

West Wales

Service Honour 1st Bar to Service Cross

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

Graham Hardy

Essex

Neil Morgan

Kent

Mark Smith

Leicestershire & Rutland

Pamela Sharp

Northumberland & Durham

Gillian Wilkinson

Northumberland & Durham

Michael Gregge

Scottish Eastern

Steve Carter

Shropshire

Teresa Guest

Staffordshire

Richard Divers

Sussex

Kate Hall

Sussex

Marian Yates

Warwickshire

David Fry

Wessex

Christopher Grant

Wessex

Mark Davies

West Wales

Service Honour

2nd Bar to Service Cross

Awarded to recipients who have achieved 30 years’ service

John Ballard

Essex

Simon Hatfield

Essex

Alex Thompson

Essex

Richard Flambard

Jersey

Andrew Griggs

Kent

Tina Smith

Kent

Martyn Steers

Kent

Warren Riley

Liverpool & District

Michael McCartan

Northern Ireland

Linda Taylor

Northumberland & Durham

Michele Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Joseph Welsh

Northumberland & Durham

Jane Spindler

Staffordshire

Mark Davies

West Wales

Tracy Seewoosaha

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

MERIT Honours

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

Certificate of Merit

For contribution at club or branch level

Rita Cummins

Derbyshire

Molly Emerton

Derbyshire

Richard Hallam

Derbyshire

Freddie Postlethwaite

Derbyshire

Joe Scurrah

Derbyshire

Heather Watson

Derbyshire

Robert Gofton

Devon

William Westbrooke

Essex

Julie Hill

Liverpool & District

Cathy Sedgwick

North & West Yorkshire

Alison Bell

Northumberland & Durham

Amanda Carr

Northumberland & Durham

Keith Carr

Northumberland & Durham

Beth Chandler

Northumberland & Durham

Cadie Chandler

Northumberland & Durham

Joanne Chandler

Northumberland & Durham

Mark Chandler

Northumberland & Durham

Eloise Dickerson-Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Isadore Dickerson-Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

David Elliott

Northumberland & Durham

Lauren Gordon

Northumberland & Durham

Clare Kay

Northumberland & Durham

Tia MacPherson

Northumberland & Durham

Nicola Mowbray

Northumberland & Durham

Derrick Stephenson

Northumberland & Durham

Louise Stephenson

Northumberland & Durham

David Donaldson

Scotland West

Gordon Gray

Scotland West

Clark MacSephney

Scotland West

Julia Ellison

Scottish Eastern

Luca DeGregorio

Somerset

Kieran Doorbar

Somerset

Alice Doorbar

Staffordshire

Adrian McDowell

Staffordshire

Michelle Rollinson

Staffordshire

Neve Maguire

Suffolk

Amelia Pearce

Suffolk

Adam Rust

Suffolk

Caroline Rust

Suffolk

Charlotte Conway

Surrey

Hadley Bourner

Sussex

Sam Clark

Sussex

Cassie Dibley

Sussex

Sophia Hendey

Sussex

Jude Morris

Sussex

Amy Saunters

Sussex

Ethan Fox

Wessex

Amelia Percival

Wessex

Ethan Pilley

Wessex

Amanda Wise-Hall

Wessex

Gareth Abbott-Haigh

West Wales

Sue Christopher

West Wales

Daisy Brooks

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Megan Clifford

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Ellen Forson

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Georgina Forson

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Rosie Forson

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Jasper Harding

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Benjamin Harper

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

James Inett

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Rebecca Leahey

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Merit Honour

Certificate of Recognition

For continuing contribution at club or branch level

Kate Blake

Derbyshire

Calum Briggs

Derbyshire

Kevin Mosley

Derbyshire

Julie Bardoe

Kent

Sheila Butcher

Kent

Rosemary Davies

Kent

Deborah Kasper

Kent

Denise McWilliams

Kent

George Payne

Kent

Christopher Willson

Kent

Stuart Ainscough

Liverpool & District

Chris Groom

North & West Yorkshire

Helen Treen

North & West Yorkshire

Lauren Carroll

North & West Yorkshire

Richard Ludlow

Northumberland & Durham

Anne Thewlis

Northumberland & Durham

Ronan Larkin

Republic of Ireland

Jim Anderson

Scotland West

Duncan Evans

Scotland West

James Gallacher

Scotland West

Iona Halford

Scotland West

Georgina Howells

Scotland West

Alistair Jardine

Scotland West

Susan Pearson

Scotland West

Catherine Perrett

Scotland West

Lynne Sinclair

Scotland West

Rachel Taylor

Scotland West

Margaret Crawley

Staffordshire

Carl Simeson

Mid Yorkshire

Peter Halifax

Staffordshire

Nicola Harper

Staffordshire

Frederick Cooke

Sussex

Bhavik Barochia

Thames Valley

Anthony Kershaw

Thames Valley

Peter Webb

Thames Valley

John Humphreys

Wessex

Nicholas Sparrowhawk

Wessex

Richard Butler

West Wales

Jacqueline Orrells

West Wales

Natasha Lane

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Merit Honour Medal of Distinction

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

Emma Fishman

Kent

Frances Payne

Kent

Victoria Wilkinson

Kent

Maurice Kilmister

Lincolnshire

Daniel Arkley

Northumberland & Durham

George Lee

Northumberland & Durham

Aileen Robson

Northumberland & Durham

Antony Coia

Scotland West

Edward McGowan

Scotland West

Mark McKay

Scotland West

Ian Sinclair

Scotland West

David Horton

Staffordshire

Trudie Peel

Sussex

Lee Wright

Sussex

Merit Honour BAR TO MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

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

Andrew Fooks

Kent

David Williams

Liverpool & District

Pamela Sharp

Northumberland & Durham

Linda Taylor

Northumberland & Durham

Zelah Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Gillian Wilkinson

Northumberland & Durham

Ruth Martin

Staffordshire

Jane Spindler

Staffordshire

Mark Shakles

Wessex

Merit Honour Medal of honour

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

Lorraine Buttery

Cornwall

Michele Weedy

Northumberland & Durham

Murray Robb

Scottish Northern

Alan Sutherland

Somerset

Teresa Myatt

Worcestershire & Herefordshire

10 YEARS OF

Drowning Prevention Week

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.

The Mark Smith Trophy

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.

Stanley Peck Area Organiser of the Year

David Slade Sussex

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.

Brian Morrissey Outreach Cup

Donna Thomas 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

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.

The ken white trophy

Sophia Hendey Sussex

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

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

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.

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.

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