HOLYWELL Bay Surf Lifesaving Club has received the highest accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The organistion has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2024 for delivering nationally recognised beach safety and lifesaving training, maintaining a beach life saving patrol service. 

The accolade, which is equivalent to an MBE, recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities.  It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his wish to continue the Award. 

Representatives from Holywell Bay SLSC will receive the crystal award and certificate from Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho over the next few months. 

Two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, along with other recipients of this year’s Award. 

Chairman Stephen Peck said: “The King’s Award is an incredible accolade, and we are absolutely thrilled to have our club recognized in such a meaningful way.

“The King’s Award is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and unwavering spirit of our volunteers.

“With nearly 300 members, our club is a community built on the selfless efforts of those who give their time and energy to make Holywell Bay Surf Lifesaving Club what it is today.

“Whether it's safeguarding beachgoers, running training sessions, or organizing events, these volunteers are the heart and soul of our club.

“This award is for each and every one of them. A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers—past and present—who have played a part in this achievement. Without your passion and commitment, none of this would be possible.

“We are so proud of what we have accomplished together, and we’re excited for the future as we continue to grow and serve our community with the same enthusiasm and dedication that has brought us this far.”

The citation read: “Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club, always open, is an outstanding community group, owned and run entirely by volunteers, drawing membership from the small coastal villages of St Newlyn East, Holywell, and Cubert.

“Remote from the nearest town these villages are poorly served by transport links and other amenities.

“Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club is owned by volunteers, directed by volunteers and the services delivered by volunteers, there are no paid members of staff.

“The club has an astonishing 10% membership of the population from the community it represents, indicative of the level of engagement and indeed importance Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club plays in the community.

“Volunteers include, amongst many others, accredited lifeguard trainers, swimming trainers, builders, paramedics, nurses, and drivers.

“The club reaches out to young people and particularly those with mental health and learning difficulties and has proved its ability to support those individuals in navigating life’s challenges with positive and lasting effect.

“Club membership is highly inclusive and accessible; membership is encouraged from 6 years old with no upper limit, the oldest members are 70 plus.

“The young members grow up nurtured by the club and become and remain involved in volunteering from a young age, contributing to competitions and public events, whilst supporting those in less fortunate positions than themselves. A wonderful opportunity for all.

“Aside from the energetic social side of the Club, each year it fully funds swim training for 90 members and trains those wishing to become national accredited lifeguards.

“Additional training sessions help develop healthy sports men and women who compete at local, regional, and national championships. In addition to swim and lifeguard training the club provides health and safety and higher level first aid training available to all, this is extended to members for the public as well.

“The clubhouse is on the beach where there is no phone signal, and the assessors were struck by the fact that the club members gather to focus on their sport, the vital service of life guarding and continuous improvement, whilst socialising with their friends and family and the phones were left behind.

“It felt healthy, balanced and so positive. Decisions are jointly made and always for the benefit of every single club member.

“The members seem unanimous in the decision making which is typically based on experience and good logic. The Club works assiduously to and is audited to the standards and policies of the national body SLSGB, as well as working closely with statutory bodies such as the coastguards, blue light organisations and the RNLI.

“The assessors saw many examples of how collegiate it is with other surf lifesaving clubs.

“The commitment and dedication of all the members is further evidenced in the level of funding from membership subscriptions, donations and grants which ensures financial sustainability.

“Due to these indomitable efforts the club does not have to endure hand to mouth finances.

“The waiting list to become members is always long and who can be surprised. This is a passionate, dynamic, and vibrant organisation that changes people’s lives, saves people’s lives and brings together the community of these remote rural villages for the benefit of all. Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club is an inspiration to all communities, an exemplar in self-supporting and self-funding excellence in the community. I could not recommend it more strongly for a King’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

2024 sees the largest number of awards made to voluntary groups or charities in Cornwall over the last twelve years.

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall says: “I am delighted and proud to see six of Cornwall’s finest voluntary groups recognised with these awards.  The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest accolade any voluntary group can receive, given to those local voluntary groups that are truly outstanding, and which break new ground at a local and sometimes national level. 

“Cornwall’s voluntary sector delivers invaluable support to our communities, selflessly, compassionately and with huge energy, reaching out to everyone in need.  These six winners reflect the tremendous range and reach of the sector and this national recognition is hugely well deserved. 

“My congratulations and thanks to our six exceptional winners; I salute you all!”