VOLUNTEERS from a lifeboat station were presented with a medal in recognition of their service and dedication to saving lives at sea.

The medal, created to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, recognises frontline emergency services personnel who have completed five full calendar years of paid, retained or voluntary service.

The 12 volunteers from the Brighton RNLI were among 4,500 volunteers and frontline staff from across the organisation to receive the medal.

Roger Cohen MBE, Brighton RNLI’s lifeboat operations manager and one of the medal recipients, said: “It’s an honour to receive this special commemorative medal alongside frontline colleagues from all sectors of the emergency services.

“The RNLI in Brighton is run entirely by volunteers, and we could not do what we do without the selfless service and dedication of each individual member.

“I’m sure we’ve all seen and enjoyed the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations over the last week, so to have this small part of it means a lot to all of us.”

Two volunteer crew members, Livia Brynin and Ben Hylands, also received a certificate of commendation from the RNLI medical director for saving a life on August 24, 2020.

The pair, along with two other crew members, were called to Hove Lawns just after 10pm where they spotted a female casualty who was recovered to the lifeboat and given life-saving care before being transferred to the ambulance service.

Livia said: “I was not expecting this at all but I remember the shout really clearly. It just reinforces how important the work of the RNLI is and I’m proud to be a part of that.

“Seeing the hard work of all my colleagues that day drives home what an awesome team the group at Brighton RNLI are.”

Ben said: “We worked really well as a team that day making sure we moved as quickly and safely as we could to get the best outcome possible for the casualty.

“You never know what you are going to get when that pager goes off but I’m just glad to know we all did the best we could and had a positive outcome.”

Volunteers received their medals at a ceremony held at the lifeboat station earlier this week.