Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service honoured

Local Heroes!

Lifesavers from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) were honoured by the Royal Lifesaving Society (UK) at London’s Guildhall on Saturday. Nine long-serving GAFIRS members received a wide range of honours recognising service to lifesaving spanning many years. John Lee was made an Honorary Life member after 35 years of service, Joanne Young received the Medal of Honour for exceptional service, and Tom Keogh was awarded Wessex Young Lifesaver of the Year 2010.

Coxswains Mike Allen and Chris Rudd, together with Steve Hobbs, each were recognised for 30 years of exceptional service, as was coxswain Brian Pack, who received the RLSS Service Cross for 20 years lifesaving service. John Martyn received a bar to his Service Medal for 16 years Service, and Ian Sweet received his Service Medal reflecting 12 years of dedicated service. Bob Needham received the RLSS (UK) Certificate of Thanks and most of the nominee’s also received the RLSS (UK) Certificate of Merit.

GAFIRS Chairman Peter Brown said “Our lifesavers and lifeboat crews are delighted to be recognised and rewarded by the Royal Lifesaving Society. Our GAFIRS men and women have worked tirelessly over the years to deliver water safety and be on emergency pager call-out to HM Coastguard. Already this year we have launched on over 100 Search and Rescue missions, visited dozens of schools providing water safety education, and spent many hours training lifeguards of the future…”

The awards were presented by Lord Norrie, Patron of the RLSS (UK) and Dr Klaus Wilkens, President of International Lifesaving Europe.

More information on the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service website.