ARDEN Sailing Club’s Alan Salerman had his outstanding volunteer endeavours recognised by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, at the annual Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Volunteer Awards in London last Friday.
Salerman, from Rubery near Bromsgrove, was amongst some 47 winners from across the UK honoured for their exceptional generosity and dedication to boating at the awards ceremony and exclusive luncheon held at One Great George Street, Westminster.
Salerman received an RYA Lifetime Commitment Award and was presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate by HRH, President of the RYA.
Addressing guests, HRH hailed the volunteers for making the access of sailing as good as possible, with the quality and professional approach to that activity key, stating how sailing sets a very good example across all sports of maintaing these high standards.
HRH also stressed that, for any sport to continue, it has to be fun for everyone involved and she thanked all the volunteers for keeping the essence of enjoyment alive in sailing.
Duncan Truswell, RYA Sport Development Manager, added: “The RYA Volunteer Awards are all about celebrating the commitment of the countless volunteers who do fantastic work to support our sport. These people are the lifeblood of our sport, they keep our sailing clubs, events and organisations thriving and make it possible for others to get out on the water.
“This event was about saying thank you to every one of these inspirational volunteers for their sheer hard work and commitment, not only on behalf of the RYA but also on behalf of the people they help to get afloat week in, week out.”