Five RNLI volunteers with a combined 223 years of support for the charity are among a raft of civil society workers and leaders to be handed awards in the King’s New Year Honours.

Those recognised include Sheila Warner, who has been awarded an MBE after volunteering for the charity for 65 years. The vice chair of the Wells RNLI Lifeboat Guild has been involved in fundraising events that have raised more than £500,000 over the last decade, according to the charity.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with the RNLI, especially after my husband died it really became a lifeline,” she said.

“It is down to the Guild that I have kept on, we have all helped one another and I thank them most sincerely for all the help they have given me over the years.”

Another RNLI volunteer to be recognised in the honours awards is Red Bay lifeboat station coxswain Patrick ‘Paddy’ McLaughlin. He has been awarded an MBE for his 43 years service to the charity.

Last summer he was the coxswain that rescued a vessel with nine people, including four children, onboard that had hit an object and was in danger of sinking.

“The RNLI is at the heart of communities, bringing people together with the aim of saving lives at sea and keeping people safe on the water,” he said.

“In volunteering for the charity for over 43 years in many different roles, I work alongside an incredible group of people who are passionate about lifesaving and preventing drowning in our communities.”

Invergordon RNLI Lifeboat station’s William Lipp has also been handed an MBE. He has been involved with the station since 1974 as coxswain and chair of its management group.

Meanwhile, Douglas RNLI Lifeboat Guild chair Gillian Cowley and Looe RNLI Lifeboat Station’s David Haines have been awarded a BEM.



RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes said: “What a wonderful way to end the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year with recognition for these volunteers from right across the UK.”

He added: “For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers – and on the sheer generosity of the public who provide kind donations – is truly remarkable.

“Good people responded then and have continued to do so for two centuries: men and women showing extraordinary courage, supported by volunteers and donors who hold the RNLI’s values dear.”

Charity leaders’ awards

Among charity leaders to be awarded an MBE is animal welfare campaigner Barbara Gardner, who is chief executive and founder of the Animal Interfaith Alliance.

"I'm deeply honoured and humbled to have received an MBE for services to animal welfare,” she said.

“The fact that animal welfare is being recognised is amazing, as it's something which I feel has been often overlooked.”

She is also a former treasurer and trustee of the RSPCA, whose chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “This is such a wonderful achievement and thoroughly well deserved.”

“Barbara has dedicated many years to animal welfare at a local, national and international level and her work as RSPCA treasurer was instrumental in helping us reform the RSPCA into a modern and forward-facing organisation,” he added.

Another charity leader to be awarded an MBE is Nick Bird, chair of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK. His awarded is for services to research and advocacy for children impacted by neuroblastoma.

His son Adam passed away after being affected by the disease. He was involved in the charity before his son’s death in 2013. Three years later he became a trustee of the charity and was appointed its chair in 2018.

“This award truly belongs to my beautiful “middle-sized boy”, Adam, in whose memory I strive to help find better treatments for children with cancer, particularly neuroblastoma—the disease that took him from me,” he said.

“Our children need and deserve so much more. While I still have a voice, I will use it. As long as I can push for change, I will. If I can, then I must. All because of Adam.”

The charity’s chief executive Gail Jackson said: “Through his advocacy, Nick has ensured that the voices of children and their families are heard at every level of the research process.

“His work continues to drive progress in developing innovative treatments that aim to save lives while reducing the devastating side effects of current therapies.”

Meanwhile, care charity Greensleeves Care chief executive Paul Newman has been awarded an MBE for his work supporting older people and improving health and care standards.

“I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition, which reflects the hard work and dedication of so many colleagues and partners in the health and social care sector,” said Newman, who is to become chief executive of We Care Group and Sumit Care Group in March.

“This award is a testament to their commitment to improving the lives of older people. As I prepare for the next chapter of my career, I remain as passionate as ever about raising standards, fostering innovation, and creating environments where older people can thrive.”

CBE for early years sector leader

Purnima Tanuku, the chief executive of early years settings organisation National Day Nurseries Association has been named a CBE for services to early education.

“It has been a privilege to work within and support the early education and care sector over the past twenty years,” she said.

“Nothing makes more of a difference to a child’s life chances than giving them high-quality learning and development opportunities in the first five years.

“This honour represents the commitment and passion that early years providers, and the incredible workforce in our sector, have in working with our youngest children day in day out. It is this passion that drives me in everything I do to support the early years sector.”

NDNA chair Sarah Steel added: “We are extremely proud of all the work Purnima has done to further the cause of seeing all children and families thrive through high-quality early education and care.

“To be honoured with the CBE in the New Year Honours List shows that her dedicated work and commitment to our crucial sector has been truly recognised.”

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