A long-serving member of Kirkcudbright Lifeboat crew has received the British Empire Medal.
John Collins has been with the team for more than 30 years, having originally joined as a mechanic.
Now fulfilling the role of lifeboat operations manager, John found out he was to receive the accolade in the New Year’s Honours List.
And he was formally presented with the medal at the RNLI crew room by Lord Lieutenant of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, The Lord Sinclair.
John, who started as a trainee in the 1990s, has worked tirelessly as an ambassador for the charity and when he is not involved with the RNLI he drives a school bus.
The evening of the presentation began with a demonstration launch at the boathouse before everyone returned to the crew room.
And John wasn’t the only person whose efforts were recognised that evening.
The Lord Sinclair also presented Robert Ross with a long service award in recognition of 40 years of service with the RNLI.
His long association began as a 15-year-old when he cycled to the station to help coxswain George Davidson with the maintenance of the Mary Pullman lifeboat. He joined as a crew member on his 17th birthday in 1983 – the youngest on the crew.
By 1991 he had already qualified as a helmsman and, working as a science technician at the academy, would make the most of many call outs in adverse weather conditions and darkness.
He and fellow crew member Colin Marshall led the installation of a mains water supply to the boathouse in
1999, other crew members helping complete the project over six weekends.
In 2003 Robert took over as senior helm at the station and also the position of lifeboat training coordinator – both roles he still holds today.
