VOLUNTEERS from RNLI Teignmouth and their families came together for an evening of recognition.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal was awarded to 24 volunteers, while Alan Harwood (water safety officer) and Pete Shillabeer (helm), were also presented with long service recognition medals.

The Platinum Jubilee Medal was created to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and has been awarded to 4,500 volunteers and frontline staff in recognition of the 65,886 lives the RNLI has saved during the Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year-reign.

The presentation took place at the Teign Corinthian Yacht Club, where volunteers and their families joined in the celebratory event.

The medals were presented by Teignmouth Harbour Master, Karen Dalton- Fyfe who speaking at the event remarked how it was an ‘honour to be involved’ in marking the achievement of the volunteers.

Lifeboat Operations Manager for Teignmouth RNLI, Charlie Woolnough, said that it was a ‘great opportunity to come together and thank the volunteers for their dedication’ he also paid thanks to the ‘families of all the volunteers behind the scenes for their support’.

The medal presentation also included recognising two volunteers for their long service.

Alan Harwood, water safety officer, has been with the RNLI for 32 years. When asked what has fuelled his dedication he remarked that the opportunity to ‘Impart important safety information to the general public’ and ‘knowing that he may be saving lives through the key messages he has delivered’ over the years, coupled with being surrounded by a ‘dedicated and remarkable team’ have kept him focused.

Pete Shillabeer, who joined as shore crew before becoming helm four years ago, received his long service award for 20 years dedication to the RNLI.

Pete explained how being part of the RNLI ‘was all he ever wanted to do growing up’ with members of his family on the crew when he was a child, he spent many a day at the lifeboat station as a young lad dreaming of when he would be able to sign up.

Pete remarks how receiving this award is a huge privilege, recognising the dedication over the years, made possible by being part of a ‘great team’.

Queens Platinum Jubilee Medals were presented to: Adam Truhol, Alan Harwood, Andy Case, Anna Winston, Charlie Woolnough, Dave Matthews, Derek Davis, Giles Squirrell, Hump Vince , James Stoyle, James Crawford, Kevin Clifton, Marcus Hughes, Mark Annal , Mark Barratt, Matt Slader, Neil Cripps, Pete Renouf, Pete Shillabeer, Sean Bromfield, Simon Dorey, Stuart Eames, Will Burton.