Published: 12 January 2021

We’re delighted to start 2021 by sharing some good news from our lifesaving community:

Joshua Hale has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year Honours list recognising his work through the pandemic, supporting 2,000 volunteers working with local community groups, social enterprises and charities, as part of Bath and North East Somerset’s 3SG organisation.

Joshua started as a lifeguard and has been Club Development Officer for BULSCA and RLSS UK Ambassador for Wales. He is currently the Chair for RLSS UK’s Avon & North Wiltshire branch and Volunteer Co-ordinator for the University of Bath’s Student Union.

For more information about Joshua's achievements click here.

We’d also like to extend our congratulations to David Pugh, founder of RLSS UK affiliated charity, Newfound Friends.

David has been awarded a British Citizen Award (BCA) for his work with over 50 different causes in the 31 years since Newfound Friends was founded. Experts in training Newfoundland dogs for sea rescues, the charity has worked with programmes such as Countryfile and Blue Peter, as well as working with the Maritime Rescue Volunteers.

Newfound Friends’ ‘Take The Plunge’ day encourages people to host an event, open to anyone, where David and his team attend and bring to life the experience of being rescued by one of these fantastic dogs, for the participants.

Gentle giants, David’s dogs are also used to delight and comfort terminally ill children.

For more information about David's charity Newfound Friends click here.