Northamptonshire Sailors get Royal Approval

RYA Lifetime Commitment Award winners Peter and Jill Betts © RYA

Three Northamptonshire sailors had their outstanding volunteer endeavours recognised by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal at the annual RYA Volunteer Awards in London on Friday (21 November).

Hollowell Sailing Club's Peter and Jill Betts and Stewart Elder were amongst some 47 winners from across the UK honoured for their exceptional generosity and dedication to boating at the awards ceremony and exclusive luncheon held at One Great George Street, Westminster.

The Betts, who live in Lutterworth, received an RYA Lifetime Commitment Award while there is an RYA Outstanding Contribution Award for Stewart from Market Harborough. All attendees were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate by HRH, President of the RYA.

Addressing guests, HRH hailed the volunteers for making the access of sailing as good as possible, with the quality and professional approach to that activity key, stating how sailing sets a very good example across all sports of maintaining these high standards.

Joking that not everyone could be Sir Ben Ainslie, HRH also stressed that for any sport to continue it has to be fun for everyone involved, and she thanked all the volunteers for keeping the essence of enjoyment alive in sailing.

Jill said: "It's a privilege to get an award for something we thoroughly enjoy and that just comes as second nature. It's part of our lives."

Duncan Truswell, RYA Sport Development Manager, added: "The RYA Volunteer Awards are all about celebrating the commitment of the countless volunteers who do fantastic work to support our sport. These people are the lifeblood of our sport, they keep our sailing clubs, events and organisations thriving and make it possible for others to get out on the water.

"This event was about saying 'thank you' to every one of these inspirational volunteers for their sheer hard work and commitment not only on behalf of the RYA but also on behalf of the people they help to get afloat week in week out."

For more information about the RYA Volunteer Awards visit www.rya.org.uk or to find out more about boating in Northamptonshire visit www.rya.org.uk/regions/eastmidlands