..and Presentation of AwardsThe Awards ceremony is the RNLI's chance to publicly honour and thank those people who have shown a level of dedication to the lifeboat service over and above normal expectations. The RNLI's President, HRH The Duke of Kent KG, was the guest of honour, and Olympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson QBE was guest speaker.What do a photocopier engineer, a bookbinder, a project worker for the mentally handicapped, a foreshores' inspector, a plumber and a solicitor have in common? The obvious answer would appear to be - nothing at all. But that response does not take into account is the remarkable volunteer spirit within the RNLI. As Chairman Peter Nicholson said in his speech 'It not only recognises the essential character of those who man and support the service, it also reminds the public, and those who are rescued by her, that every lifeboat in our fleet is the product of money willingly donated.

'Many people less familiar with the RNLI find it difficult to believe that such a comprehensive emergency service, costing £274,000 a day to run, can exist without a penny of tax-payers' money.

What other 24-hour, lifesaving service, rescuing an average 17 people a day could operate on goodwill alone?' In his address, HRH The Duke of Kent looked forward to the challenges facing the service. The RNLI is already making excellent headway through the waters of the 21st century and is confidently on course to meet new challenges. Thanks to thesplendid crew of volunteers and staff that we have on board, our ship could not be in better hands nor in better shape for the voyage.' Certainly, the 70 volunteers presented with awards for long and distinguished honorary service demonstrate the extraordinary level of dedication the RNLI receives. These awardees have donated long hours, enthusiasm and hard work to ensure that the RNLI can continue to be the most effective, innovative and dependable lifeboat service.

The highlight of the-afternoon was the presentation of awards to the seven lifeboatmen awarded Bronze Medals for gallantry during 2000.

The emotion of the event was summed up by Tanni Grey-Thompson in her closing speech. 'I leave here in awe of the bravery and dedication of those people who have been involved and, not for the first time during my involvement with the RNLI, wishing that I'd come wearing slightly less mascara.' The answer to the opening question, of course, is that together with full-time coxswain/mechanic Ian Firman, those are the full-time occupations of the seven courageous medal winners..