Four Exmouth RNLI Volunteers have recently been presented with prestigious long service Awards following their long and distinguished service to the lifesaving organisation.
Three of the volunteers were presented with their Awards at a special ceremony at the Exe Sailing Club, Exmouth on Monday 1 October 2018 by past Chairman of the RNLI, Charles Hunter-Pease OBE.
Roger Jackson (Deputy Coxswain) and Mark Sansom (Second Mechanic) were awarded the RNLI 20 year Service Award and Don Hodgkinson (Fundraising Committee Chairperson) the RNLI Gold Badge and Certificate in recognition of their exemplary service over 20 years.
Exmouth RNLI Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson, said ‘Roger and Mark are all fine role models for our younger Crew volunteers at Exmouth RNLI. Over 20 years, they have accrued valuable experience of saving lives at sea, to pass on. Special thanks to Don who has served as Deputy Launch Authority and in fundraising during his long service and without such important funds our organisation could not operate. We were very pleased that Charles Hunter-Pease could celebrate recognition of their long-service with us tonight.‘
At a separate ceremony at Exmouth Lifeboat Station on 9 October 2018, RNLI Fundraising Treasurer, Bernice Williams, joined by many of her fellow volunteers, was presented with an RNLI 25 year Service Certificate and ‘Excellence in Volunteering’ crystal by Simon Davidson, Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group.
Her citation read ‘Her volunteering over the past 25 years show Bernice to be professional, supportive and a forward thinker. Displaying all RNLI values, trustworthy, courageous, selfless and dependable, Bernice is an inspiration to all and is helping the RNLI continue to save lives at sea.’
Ellie Walker, Community Fundraising Manager for the RNLI said “I have the privilege of working with and supporting the most amazing volunteers at Exmouth, every single one of them give masses of their time, energy and enthusiasm to raising money to support our lifeboat service. I am exceptionally proud of my fundraisers and pleased that we are able to recognise and celebrate their long and distinguished service to the RNLI”
