Lagan Search and Rescue can today (Friday 2nd June) announce that they have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. The Award was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.
Lagan Search and Rescue is an independent lifeboat and acute water rescue service that serves the River Lagan, Belfast Harbour and out into Belfast Lough. The 999 emergency service is run and operated entirely by volunteers and operates out of Belfast Harbour Marina.
The charity, now celebrating its 10th year serving the city of Belfast and local communities, responds to a wide range of incidents which include the rescue of persons in the water, to persons reported missing; medical and casualty evacuations from commercial vessels, to recovery of stricken pleasure craft to incidents of flooding. This emergency response is provided free of cost 24/7, 365 days a year.
Ian Murdock, Chairman of the Trustees of the organisation said “We are truly honored to receive such an award in recognition of the hard work and dedication of all our volunteers, both past and present. Lagan Search and Rescue is currently made up of 35 serving volunteers, on call willing to respond at a moment’s notice any time of day or night and to have this commitment recognised makes us incredibly proud.
“For anyone to give up their free time to help others in need is truly admirable and to be recognised in such a way is very humbling. It is also a wonderful birthday surprise as we celebrate our 10th year.”
Joe O’Neill, CEO Belfast Harbour, Patrons of Lagan Search and Rescue said: “Lagan Search and Rescue provide a vital service not only to Belfast Harbour but to the City as a whole and for that to be recognised in this way is fitting particularly during their 10th anniversary making it even more special. Safety is a priority for Belfast Harbour and working wth partners, such as LSAR to achieve this goal is vital to our success.”
