Workington RNLI volunteers have been congratulated for their service by Cumbria’s Lord Lieutenant Alexander Scott.

The Lord Lieutenant attended an event in the town to present King’s Coronation medals to twenty four crew members of the lifeboat who have been volunteering with the charity for over five years.

He also presented long service medals to Richard Glynn, Graeme Lawson and Lee Hallam for 20 years with the charity and Ian Cormack who could not attend the event.

The Lord Lieutenant, Mr Scott said: “Those awarded medals have given over 460 years of service to the RNLI and have assisted many hundreds of people, some of whom would have undoubtedly lost their lives without such assistance.

“The nation owes you a huge debt of gratitude and I hope you will treasure these medals as a mark of the respect in which you are all held.

“There has been a lifeboat based in Workington for 96 years, so that respect extends back to all of those people from the town that have crewed the many different lifeboats that have served here in that time.

“I also thank the newer members of the crew that are here today, but who have not served long enough to qualify for a medal, it will be up to you to carry forward their proud tradition and maintain the service into the future.”

He also paid tribute to the Workington RNLI fundraisers, whose work over the last 12 months has contributed £39,000 to the charity.

The 30 volunteers hold events, have a weekly market stall in the town and pop-up shop, plus attend shows and other events.

He said: “This amazing total is among the very best in the country delivered by fundraising groups without a proper retail shop.

“Such an excellent outcome is the result of long hours running collections and fundraising events and regular windswept days at their market stall.

“Unfortunately, the criteria for the award of medals cannot extend to everyone that volunteers, but their magnificent dedication and long service is equally deserving of the nation’s respect and my thanks.”

The families of the crew were not forgotten as he went on to praise their tolerance and support for their loved ones, adding: “Quite apart from the disruption caused by the regular lifeboat training commitment, which absorbs time that otherwise might be spent on family matters, being close to someone that is perpetually carrying a pager and liable to be called out, at any time of the day or night, to go to sea for an unknown purpose in unknown conditions for an unknown period is not a normal situation.”

It was the first official event held by Workington RNLI since the death of its chairman Bob McLaughlin in October and the first since 1978 without him.

Mr Scott said: “Bob volunteered for the RNLI for over 62 years – an incredible achievement. I’m sure his spirit will be looking down. He will be long remembered.”

The three volunteers who received the twenty years service award have all been involved in rescues that saved someone’s life but Richard Glynn, 50, Lee Hallam, 53, and Graeme Lawson, 52, all said they volunteered with the RNLI to give something back to the community.

From the thousands of hours dedicated to the charity said they couldn’t choose one standout moment from their time with the RNLI.

Tim Chittenden, Workington RNLI operations manager, said: “It was a great honour to have Mr Scott attend our event.

“The RNLI would be nothing with its volunteers and we are extremely proud of our crew members who received the medals.

“We are extremely proud of all our crew and thankful for their dedication.

“As a charity, the RNLI could not deliver its mission of Saving Lives at Sea without the help of our fundraisers. We are one crew.”

Workington RNLI operates the all-weather lifeboat Dorothy May White and inshore lifeboat John F Mortimer.

Since Dorothy May White was commissioned in April 2017, she has launched 110 times and helped 95 people while the John F Mortimer, donated in May 2014, has launched on service 69 times and helped 55 people including one life saved.

Workington RNLI are looking to welcome more volunteers to join the organisation with the organisation looking for shore and sea-going crew, launch authorities and chairman of the Lifeboat Management Committee.

You can find more information about volunteer roles by visiting the website here or to apply for the chair of Lifeboat Management Committee visit the website here