by Rebecca Hannant
Hornsea Inshore Rescue coxswain Karl Shannon has received an award as part of the King’s Coronation celebrations.
To mark the Coronation, 500 volunteers and community heroes from across the country have received a Coronation Champions award.
The awards, which attracted 5,000 entries, invited people across the UK to nominate local volunteering heroes who are going the extra mile. Nominations were made across eight categories – supporting older people; supporting young people and children; crisis and welfare; community; sports, culture and heritage; health and care; sustainability and the environment; and animal welfare.
Karl won his award for his services to Hornsea Inshore Rescue, training the lifeboat crew and saving lives at sea.
As part of his award, Karl, and all the winning volunteers, have received a specially designed official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by King Charles and the Queen Consort. He has also received an invitation to either the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or the Coronation garden party.
Karl said: “I didn’t know it was coming. I only found out last night that I won. I am really excited to go. Now me and my wife are trying to find something to wear. There is a fantastic line-up of acts at the Coronation garden party.
“I honestly can’t believe it – massive thank you to anyone who nominated me and all the team at Hornsea Rescue.”
Sue Hickson-Marsay, Hornsea Inshore Rescue chairman and station manager, said: “Wow! It is absolutely fantastic. The award is very well deserved. Karl has worked with Hornsea Inshore Rescue for more than 25 years and in that time, he has helped rescue hundreds of people and helped on hundreds of searches. Karl is very passionate about his role.
“As an organisation we are very proud that awards like this help us to raise awareness about what we do at Hornsea Inshore Rescue.”
