Tenby volunteers Richard and Linda Sadler have been presented with the Lord Lewin Award for their exceptional commitment to maintaining and expanding the charity’s fundraising mine collection points, helping to raise vital funds to support seafarers in need.

Richard and Linda have served as Honorary Agents for the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society in Tenby for the past six years. They were awarded the prestigious Lord Lewin Award by the Society at its annual awards ceremony, in recognition of their dedicated service and outstanding efforts to generate funds to support the charity’s work.

An old red and white painted Second World War naval mine is placed on Pier Hill, the lane that winds down to Laston House and the quay at Tenby Harbour. The mine functions as a collecting box for donations in support of dependants of those lost at sea, as well as sick, disabled and retired fishermen and mariners in need.

On taking over the management of Tenby’s mine in 2020, and with support from the local RNLI mechanic, the pair ensured it was fully restored. Donations dropping into the mine result in an average of over £500 raised each year.

Always ready to help further, during a visit to Holy Island in 2021, Richard identified that the local mine was in desperate need of attention and repair. Inspired by the island’s historic links to Grace Darling’s famous 1838 rescue of nine mariners, he decided the community deserved a new mine. He subsequently led the complex refurbishment and relocation of a mine from Chapel St Leonard, 280 miles away – a project that fully tested his patience, perseverance and organisational skills.

Not stopping there, Richard and Linda also volunteered to manage a third mine, currently based in Milford Haven, which they are now planning to relocate to Saundersfoot – where higher footfall will inevitably benefit donations.

Captain Justin Osmond RN, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, applauded Richard and Linda’s contributions:

“Richard and Linda have shown exceptional dedication, perseverance and creativity in managing not one, but several of the Society’s fundraising mines,” he said. “From restoring and relocating existing collection points to championing entirely new ones, they have worked tirelessly to support our mission.

Their achievements are an inspiring example of volunteer fundraising at its best, and as such they are thoroughly deserving of a Lord Lewin Award to recognise their achievements.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society was founded in February 1839 as a result of the tragic loss of a fleet of fishing boats on the north Devon coast in October 1838. The Society offers support to those across the UK that are suffering hardship during, or after fulfilling their life at sea. The charity aims to offer support to seafarers, and their dependants, to make a positive difference to their lives. The charity continues to provide help to thousands of individuals each year by offering financial and practical support to those in need.

To find out more information about the charity, visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk, www.facebook.com/shipwreckedmariners or follow @ShipwreckedSoc on Twitter.