Maria Caulfield, Member of Parliament for Lewes, recently attended an award ceremony where the Newhaven branch of the National Coastwatch Institute received the prestigious King's Award for Voluntary Service presented by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman.
NCI Newhaven is one of 262 organisations across the UK that have been awarded the first ever King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups in recognition of their outstanding community service.
Formerly known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the award was established in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. It is equivalent to an MBE and is the highest honour awarded to voluntary groups.
Awarded annually to some of the UK’s most inspiring volunteer-led groups for their charitable endeavours, this year 227 organisations from England, 20 from Scotland, six from Wales and nine from Northern Ireland have received the first ever King’s Award.
NCI Newhaven are uniquely trained volunteer watchkeepers who carry-out safety watches over the beaches, cliffs and inshore waters around Newhaven and Seaford from their lookout 365 days a year. When danger to life is spotted they inform HM Coastguard who then often task the RNLI Lifeboat or their own rescue teams.
Commenting, Maria Caulfield MP said
“I would like to pay tribute to NCI Newhaven for all the work they do, I was one of the people who supported their nomination last year and I am very pleased they have been recognised in this way.”