Dozens of people attended the AGM of Burnham-On-Sea’s rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue on Friday (June 1st) when a busy year of call-outs and fundraising was reviewed.
The charity’s volunteers and supporters gathered at the Burnham and Highbridge Town Council Chambers for the annual meeting.
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens was the charity’s special guest for the evening, and she was given a tour of the seafront station and met crewmembers before presenting several awards to the charity’s volunteers. She said she was keen to visit the charity during national Volunteers Week and praised BARB’s close working with the Police and other services.
The Neville Jones Shield, presented to BARB’s volunteer of the year, was awarded to the charity’s Training Officer Adrian Cunningham, right.
Certificates were also presented to many of the charity’s key fundraisers, including Burnham’s Trinity Close residents who raised over £8,000 last Christmas for BARB with their festive lights display.
Burnham’s GW Hurleys newsagents was named the business that had collected the most for the charity over the past year with its coin collection pots.
Burnham’s MP James Heappey was also among the special guests who thanked BARB’s volunteers for their work in working to keep the coastline safe.
BARB’s Chairman Mark Newman and President Roger Flower thanked the charity’s fundraisers, crew and supporters for their dedication, with the volunteers putting in over 5,000 hours of time for the charity.
Operations Manager Mike Lowe also thanked BARB’s team for their commitment, working closely with Burnham Coastguards, the RNLI, Police and other local services.
Martin Cox was thanked for his 25 years of involvement with the charity
BARB’s Mark Newman was presented with a long-service award for his 15 years
Roger Burgess was thanked for his five years of service with BARB
Wayne Kilgallon was thanked for his five years of service with BARB
Andy Croker received an award for his 10 years of volunteering with BARB
BARB’s Michael Lowe was applauded by crewmembers and Burnham’s MP
The Harley Owners Group Bridgwater Chapter were thanked for their fundraising
The Blue Ridge Runners also received a cetificate of thanks for fundraising
John Chinn from Burnham’s Masonic Lodge receiving a certificate of thanks
Burnham’s Day Lewis Pharmacy team receiving an award for their BARB fundraising
Pictured: Friday’s night’s AGM of BARB Search & Rescue (photos Paul Aston)
