One of the longest serving members of the Sidmouth branch of the RNLI, has been awarded its Gold Badge in recognition of his outstanding service.
Keith Knight is pictured here with the RNLI chief executive, Paul Boissier, who made the presentation at the Lighthouse Centre, Poole, where the 2015 honorary awards were presented to supporters and volunteers who, over the years, had contributed so much to their local branches and guilds.
The Gold Badge recognises Keith’s 29 years’ service as a branch member, 25 of them as secretary, together with his involvement in the Sidmouth Regatta and Boxing Day swim which has raised over £50,000 over the last 23 years.
After the presentation, he and his wife, Jane, joined a tour of the RNLI College where all crews and lifeguards are trained plus the many crews of independent lifeboats such as the Sidmouth lifeboat.
One of the highlights was the Severn Class simulator, which is programmed to simulate wind speeds up to storm force eleven though, fortunately for many on the tour it was limited to force four.
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