Both crew gallantry and supporter dedication were celebrated at the RNLI’s Annual Presentation of Awards at London’s Barbican Centre on 27 May. Guest of Honour this year was HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

Dunbar Coxswain Gary Fairbairn was awarded the charity’s Bronze Medal for Gallantry for his part in rescuing a man and a woman from a badly damaged yacht in a severe gale (see the Lifeboat Autumn 2009 for the full story).

The Bronze Medal for Gallantry was also presented to Portrush Mechanic Anthony Chambers, who swam to the rescue of two boys trapped in a cave (this story appears in the Lifeboat Winter 2009–10 and is illustrated opposite). Dozens of branch and guild members received Gold Badges, Bar to Gold Badge or Honorary Life Governorship in recognition of their stalwart contribution. (See more details in the regional supplement Compass accompanying this magazine and, for all seven editions, online at rnli.org.uk/compass.)

And the individual supporter award
category winners this year were:

Nigel Millard

Nigel is a talented professional photographer who shoots stunning images for the RNLI at a fraction of the commercial rate. His commitment to the charity is such that he has now joined the volunteer crew at Torbay in Devon.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines 

Passengers and crew of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have funded three lifeboats, three mobile training units, kitted out three Lifeboat College seminar rooms, and more, over a 40-year relationship with the RNLI. Mike Rodwell received the award on the day. Operations Director Matt Grimes is pictured.

Newhill Primary School

Staff and pupils at this small school in rural Perthshire raised over £700 on SOS Day 2009, and have regular involvement with the RNLI throughout the academic year despite their inland location.

The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust

The LRET has donated £625,000 over the last 3 years towards sea survival training at the RNLI’s college in Poole – over half the total bill. Michael Franklin received the award.

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station Shop 

This Dorset team of volunteers raised their RNLI shop income by 22% in just 1 year. Alix Fairly received the award.

Talisker

Scotch whisky maker Talisker has raised over £100,000 for the RNLI over the past 3 years, including through sponsorship of Offshore magazine and strong participation in SOS Day. Kirsty Templeton appears in the awards film, and Juliet McInnes and Harry Meakin received the award on the day.

Seaside Rescue 

BBC 1’s prime-time series brought RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards into millions of living rooms over six seasons, powerfully raising public awareness of the charity’s work. Congratulations to all! You can join in the celebrations even if you couldn’t attend on the day by ordering a copy of the RNLI’s DVD of award films (see page 9 for details).

Earlier in the day, the RNLI held its Annual General Meeting. In his keynote speech, Chairman Admiral the Lord Boyce said: ‘Despite the conditions they faced last year, our supporters, fundraisers, lifesavers and staff robustly took on every challenge. And let’s not forget that most of these people give their time and resources voluntarily. On land, they secured donations and support when the public were tightening their belts. On the water, they saved the lives of people they had never met.’

Read more about the RNLI’s finances and what was said at the AGM on page 6.