By Isle of Wight Observer
Life-saving at sea volunteers were part of the RNLI 200th Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last Thursday (May 23).
The event was hosted by The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and The Duke of Kent.
The Duke of Kent has been President of the RNLI since 1969, during which time volunteer lifeboat crews and beach lifeguards have saved more than 51,000 lives. Sir Tim is also a vice-president of the life-saving charity and former deputy chairman.
The garden party brought together around 2,500 of the RNLI’s long-serving staff and their families as well as other life-saving volunteers. Among those attending was Freshwater Independent Lifeboat coxswain, Tony Moore, and his wife Kelly.
Tony said: “I was very honoured to be invited to Buckingham Palace but I have to say I was completely overwhelmed by the occasion.
“In my thoughts were every single member of our unit, volunteers past and present, people that give their time on or off the sea, tireless fund-raisers, committee members, everyone associated with our unit and, of course, our fabulous community.
“I was very ill this time last year and to go from intensive care with life draining away from me very quickly, to visiting Buckingham Palace with my wife at my side, as she was when I was in hospital, I am very, very grateful and thankful to be representing the unit in such a memorable way.”
Mal Butler