A teenager who volunteers his time as a crewmember at a life-saving Burnham-On-Sea charity has received a prestigious Pride of Somerset Youth Award.
Sam Mason, 17, from Mark is a volunteer at BARB Search & Rescue and is its youngest ever crewman.
He’s been fully involved in many aspects of work at the charity, from helping to maintain the life-saving hovercrafts and inshore rescue boat, to helping with fundraising – many hundreds of hours of volunteering time.
Sam’s commitment is even shown by the fact that on many occasions he cycles to Burnham six miles to attend BARB fundraising activities and training events in all weathers.
Sam received his award from BBC Somerset’s Emma Britton during the annual Pride of Somerset Youth Awards ceremony. She said she was impressed by Sam’s involvement and his knowledge of the service, which she recently saw at first-hand during a recent visit to the charity.
Sam said: “The team at BARB is really great and friendly, everyone is equal, and we all work together.”
“I’m very proud to have received the recognition with this award – I really enjoy my time at BARB and being part of such a dedicated team.”
Sam’s father, Chris, said he has been impressed by the commitment Sam in performing the necessary-but-sometimes mundane tasks of helping to run the service. He said: “What is most impressive is that whilst the day-to-day activities of running the station and ensuring the rescue equipment and vehicles are ready for service are distinctly unglamorous, this has not diminished Sam’s commitment.”
BARB Operations Manager Mike Lowe said: “We’re very proud of Sam – he is an exceptional young man who is a credit to his generation.”
