Two Welsh RNLI volunteers recognised in King’s New Year Honours

Doreen Mortimer, a volunteer RNLI Shop Manager in Tenby has been awarded a MBE and Ken Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen is set to receive a BEM. The RNLI volunteers in Wales are amongst six RNLI volunteers who have been recognised by His Majesty The King for their incredible contribution to the charity as it approaches its 200th anniversary on 4 March.

Doreen has generated more than £1 million in the last 11 years alone and whose dedication has made her shop in Tenby consistently the second busiest in the UK and Ireland.

During 26 years with her local fundraising branch, Doreen’s tireless devotion to the RNLI’s cause has seen her volunteering for up to 50 hours a week during peak periods despite being 89 years old.

Doreen said: ‘I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out, and very honoured of course – not in a million years did I expect anything like this.

‘Really, it’s all thanks to everybody I’ve worked with. I’ve led a team here for 15 years but without the volunteers, I’d be nothing. This award is a thank you to everyone who’s helped at the shop.’

Determined to continue giving her time to the organisation she calls her family for years to come, Doreen doesn’t plan to step down any time soon.

She said: ‘The RNLI has kept my grey cells going and hopefully it will continue. To me it’s always been my family and an important part of my life, one I may have to give up eventually, but not for now while I’m still able.’

Also set to receive a BEM is volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at Porthdinllaen RNLI, Ken Fitzpatrick.

First joining the RNLI at 17 years old in 1967, Ken has since given 44 years of his time as both a volunteer and staff member in various roles at the station: crew, mechanic, coxswain and now LOM.

During this time, the crew has launched 942 times, aided 910 people and saved 120 lives.

Ken said: ‘I’m hugely proud of the work I have done with the RNLI, the institution has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. The RNLI has always been part of me, it’s a big family and this award is for everyone involved in that family here in north Wales.

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‘It came as a huge surprise to find out I was being honoured in this way I never expected it. You don’t do this work for reward.’

2023 has been a big year for the 75-year-old. As well as receiving a BEM, he was also Bard of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Six RNLI volunteers with 189 years of service between them have been honoured in total.

RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie said: ‘It is wonderful to see these six individuals recognised as we commence the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, each representing different roles across the charity which all make a significant contribution to saving lives at sea.

‘It is particularly poignant to see recognition for our longest standing seagoing crewmember in the Isle of Man, which is where our founder Sir William Hillary came from.

‘It is our people who make the RNLI one of the UK and Ireland’s most treasured institutions. All six recipients will be too humble to claim this recognition in their own right. For them it is all about the teams they volunteer and work with and the wider RNLI family which I am honoured to be part of. My congratulations to them all in this extra special year in the RNLI’s lifesaving history.’