RNLI honours its Wexford heroes with awards
THE RNLI held its Annual Presentation of Awards at the Guinness Storehouse last week at which the charity presented 56 individual awards to volunteers from across the country, five of them from County Wexford.
Those honoured were presented with awards for their significant contribution to the RNLI in Ireland and years of dedicated and committed service to the charity.
Many were fundraising volunteers, recognised for years of service to the charity, while others were lifeboat crew who collected their long-service badges after many years on the lifeboats.
Guest of honour at the ceremony was outgoing RNLI Chairman Charles Hunter-Pearse who presented the awards. Mr Hunter-Pearse will step down later this year after a successful term as Chairman of the Institution. He said to everyone receiving an award, whether their service has been at sea or ashore, ‘please wear it with pride. It is the mark of someone very special, selflessly dedicated to the lives of others.’
‘Every day, all around our coastline, people come together to do something incredible for someone they’ve probably never met. Lifeboat crews put to sea not knowing what situation they will face. It also takes determination to raise funds. It’s a determination that sees people raise astonishing sums to keep our service running, and that is no small feat, it requires endless talent, imagination and energy.’
David Delamer, Chairperson of the RNLI Council, in Ireland, formally opened the proceeded and who welcomed the volunteers and their families to the ceremony. The citations were read by Emma Gibson RNLI Area Manager and Owen Medland RNLI Divisional Operations Manager for Ireland central.
those from Wexford who were honoured:
* Trevor Campbell, from New Ross RNLI Branch, who received a Gold Badge.
Trevor is a committed and diligent treasurer who works with the chairman of this small branch to raise the profile of the RNLI and to raise income. He helps organise flag days and Mayday collections in the New Ross area. The branch is also involved in assisting with the appeal of the new D Class in Fethard-on-Sea and they work closely to support them and their fundraising activities.
* John Dimond from New Ross RNLI Branch received a Gold Badge.
John volunteers as Secretary and Chair of the New Ross branch and is an enthusiastic and committed volunteer. He has been a long serving fundraiser for the RNLI in the area. Although a small RNLI branch John engages with the community to raise awareness and is the longest serving member in the branch.
* Anne McMorris from Kilmore Quay RNLI Station Branch received a Bar to Gold Badge.
Anne has been a diligent Station Treasurer at Kilmore Quay for 25 years. Anne also took on the Chairperson of the Station Management team in 2008 and has also been an dedicated RNLI fundraiser in the area too. She also delivers ‘meals on wheels’ to the elderly in her limited spare time.
* Dr Reggie Spelman, from Kilmore Quay RNLI Station Branch received a Bar to Gold Badge.
As a GP in a rural practice in Wexford, Dr Reggie Spelman has kindly provided medical support and advice to the Kilmore Quay lifeboat station for over 34 years as the Honorary Lifeboat Medical Adviser for which the marine community are extremely grateful.
* Florence Jenkins, from Wexford RNLI, Fundraising Branch received a Bar to Gold Badge.
Florence is an outstanding volunteer who has over thirty-five years fundraising for Wexford Lifeboat and is at present the Chairperson in the branch.
Her dedication is incredible and she is heavily involved in Mayday, flag days, working in the lifeboat shop and lifeboat coffee mornings. Her work ethic is second to none and nothing is too much to take on. She raises the profile of the RNLI in Wexford town.