King Charles Becomes Patron of RNLI
At a recent Royal Garden party at Buckingham Palace, long-serving Poole RNLI volunteer Dave Riley received royal recognition for his dedication to saving lives at sea. Dave, known as “Smiley Riley” to his colleagues, was nominated by Angus Campbell, the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, to attend the prestigious event with his partner, Debra Warren. With almost 20 years of service to the RNLI, Dave has trained press officers from 238 lifeboat stations and currently holds the position of national media officer. His commitment to the charity was acknowledged by King Charles, who has recently become the patron of the RNLI.
Poole RNLI Volunteers Celebrate Landmark Anniversary
Press officer Anne-Marie Clark, along with her husband Jonathan Clark, also attended the Palace event to celebrate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. Jonathan, a second-generation volunteer for the charity, follows in the footsteps of his father and daughter, making it a family affair. Anne-Marie emphasized the importance of promoting the RNLI and the continuous training required to meet life-saving standards, especially after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Anne-Marie and Jonathan expressed their pride in contributing to the charity and emphasized the need for more volunteers to support the RNLI’s lifesaving mission.
Join the RNLI and Make a Difference
The RNLI is always on the lookout for dedicated volunteers like Dave Riley and the Clarks to join their team and help save lives at sea. Whether serving as a helm, press officer, or in any other capacity, volunteers play a crucial role in the charity’s mission. If you’re interested in becoming a part of this life-saving organization, visit the RNLI’s website for more information on how you can get involved and support their noble cause. By volunteering with the RNLI, you can make a real difference in your community and beyond, just like Dave, Anne-Marie, and Jonathan. Join the RNLI today and help save lives at sea.