RNLI Chief Executive praises lifesaving service of Wells RNLI volunteers
During a visit to Wells Lifeboat Station, RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes met with volunteers and toured the station’s Shannon class lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh. He also presented service awards to crew members Kevin Parr and James Betteridge, marking 30 and 20 years of volunteering.
He praised the dedication of the two long-serving Wells lifeboat volunteers as they were recognised for their remarkable service to the charity.
Reflecting on the occasion, Chris Hardy, Wells RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: 'All at the lifeboat station were immensely proud that our Chief Executive Peter Sparkes was personally able yesterday to present the Thirty-year and Twenty-year Long Service Awards to all weather lifeboat crew members Kevin Parr and James Betteridge respectively, and also see first-hand the sterling work and dedication that our One Crew undertakes in making sure our flagship station is always ready and prepared to save lives at sea.’
James Betteridge, who joined Wells RNLI two decades ago, said: ‘Twenty years of service have flown by. It’s fantastic to volunteer alongside such a great team, many of whom are now close friends. Even after all this time there is still more to learn. Every day’s a school day. I’ve seen lots of changes, but our aim remains the same: to save lives at sea and help those who need us, which I hope to continue doing for years to come.’
Peter Sparkes praised both men, and the whole Wells RNLI team, for their commitment to saving lives at sea. He highlighted the station’s strong One Crew ethos, where volunteer boat crew, shore crew, launch and recovery vehicle drivers and launch authorities are supported by visits, water safety, shop teams and fundraising volunteers.
Speaking to the crew, Peter shared his vision for the RNLI’s future, as demand for rescues continues to grow. Today, ninety five percent of rescues take place within five miles of the shore, with many involving recreational sea users such as kayakers, paddle boarders, fishermen and dog walkers.
Peter said: ‘Some 27 million people visited our coast last year and nine million of them couldn’t swim - these people are incredibly vulnerable. That’s why the dedication of volunteers like Kevin and James, and the teamwork here in Wells, is so important.’
Founded in 1824, the RNLI has evolved from saving shipwrecked sailors in wooden rowing boats to providing a 24/7 lifesaving service around the UK and Ireland. The recognition of Kevin and James reflects the charity’s ongoing reliance on dedicated volunteers, 200 years on.
RNLI Media contacts For more information, please contact Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Placement, North and East and Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells: Tel 07483488243 Email: [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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