Photo Credit: RNLI/Helen Phillips
More than 30 Penarth RNLI shop volunteers came together for their half-yearly meeting, with four members recognised for a combined 50 years of dedicated service to the charity.
The Penarth RNLI shop team gathered at the yacht club on Friday morning (October 23) for their half-yearly meeting, bringing together more than 30 volunteers to catch up, share updates and discuss the running of the shop.
The meeting covered a range of day-to-day matters, including the shop’s move to its winter opening hours. The shop is now open from 11am to 4pm every day except Mondays. However we are also open on Mondays during School and Bank Holidays.
The morning ended with a special celebration of the commitment and dedication of four members of the team.
Ann Austin – photo credit: RNLI/Nicola Youngs
Ann Austin was presented with her 20-year long-service medal, marking two decades of volunteering for the RNLI.
Ann Acton, Mo Dorken and Tim Dorken were each presented with the RNLI’s new 10-year service pin, recognising their decade of service to the charity.
Introduced by the RNLI in 2026, the 10-year pin provides a new way of recognising volunteers who have reached this significant milestone. A catch-up process will also recognise volunteers who had already completed 10 years of service before the new pin was introduced.
For Ann, Ann, Mo and Tim, the presentations provided a special moment to reflect on the years they have given to the RNLI and the many hours spent helping the shop and supporting the charity’s lifesaving work.
The Penarth RNLI shop is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers whose work helps raise vital funds for the RNLI, while also providing an important link between the charity and the local community.
The long-service presentations were a fitting end to the meeting and a chance for the wider shop team to celebrate four volunteers whose combined service represents an impressive 50 years of commitment to the RNLI.
