Vale of Glamorgan Council has awarded local volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Honorary Freeman and Freewoman status.

Cllr Lis Burnett visited the RNLI lifeboat station at Penarth to present the crews with a plaques to mark this achievement.

 The ceremonial titles recognise the service RNLI volunteers have provided to residents and visitors to the Vale in the lifesaving charity's 200th anniversary year.

Cllr Burnett said: "The RNLI is a charity that relies on the commitment and generosity of volunteers to help keep people safe along our country's coastline.

"As the Vale is a coastal county, we benefit from that dedication more than most, with RNLI volunteers helping to keep people safe at our resorts, beaches and the waters further offshore.

"These courageous individuals carry out this work not for personal gain, but for the benefit and protection of other

"The Council wanted to recognise this contribution with a gesture that reflects our appreciation and admiration for the people who give up their time in this way

"This award is made to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to our communities and is richly deserved

"It serves to illustrate the power of volunteering, which in this case quite literally saves lives."

 Penarth RNLI also worked with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to tackle loneliness and give people the chance to talk about mental health with the installation of the 'Friendship Bench' painted in RNLI colours on Penarth Esplanade.

 It is one of many volunteer groups that the Council works with on a range of matters, including a longstanding partnership established with Glamorgan Voluntary Service.

Matt Childs, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager said: "This is a huge honour for the Vale of Glamorgan Council to recognise our volunteer crews and their impact as a collective across Barry Dock and Penarth Lifeboat Stations.

"These volunteers work tirelessly to keep their communities safe and save lives at sea. It's an exciting year for our charity as we celebrate 200 years of lifesaving, where we hope to inspire the next generation of lifesavers

"And this special recognition from the Council will help us do that by shining a light on the incredible work of our volunteers and lifeboat service."

 This summer Barry Dock RNLI are hosting the first ever Festival of the Sea at Barry Island in celebration of the RNLI's 200th anniversary.

Enjoy a free weekend of nautical music and family fun held on the Island gardens and promenade, on the 1 – 2 June 2024.