THE chairman of the Penlee RNLI Fundraising Branch has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in The King's Birthday Honours.

Eric Taylor, who has dedicated more than 43 years to the lifesaving charity, has been awarded the BEM for his dedication and commitment to the RNLI.

The charity has been part of Eric’s family dating back to 1883, when his great-grandfather served as coxswain on Padstow lifeboat, and his grandfather as a signalman, before becoming coxswain.

His mother was affectionately known as ‘Lifeboat Mary’ and introduced him to fundraising from a very young age.

Due to having polio in his childhood years, Eric was unable to join the lifeboat crew, but he still had a passion for saving lives at sea and began fundraising for Penlee lifeboat in 1983.

Eric became deputy chair of the Penlee Lifeboat fundraising branch in 2012 and chair in 2014.

Under his leadership, the branch has raised £495,000, including £200,000 towards the new Penlee Lifeboat Station, which opened in 2019.

Eric said: “The RNLI has always been in the family, and I remember being involved from a very young age following in my great-grandfather’s footsteps.

“It was a bit of a shock to receive this award, as this is just something I do - I enjoy volunteering so much and love being part of it.’

A total of eight RNLI volunteers and staff have been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours.

RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes said: “I am always astounded by the dedication of our volunteers and staff and these eight are testament to the commitment demonstrated by so many of our people.

“Whatever their role, they are all lifesavers and the RNLI couldn’t do what we do without them powering our frontline services with passion, talent and kindness.”