Lifeboat volunteer recognised for saving young man from drowning

Mike Avenell was among those who were presented with citations by the High Sheriff of East Sussex Mrs Juliet Smith at a ceremony held on Thursday, March 17.

The awards ceremony, which took place at St Margaret’s Church, Ditchling, was to acknowledge the outstanding, but often unsung, work carried out by volunteers and by the emergency services in the county.

In Mike’s case, it was in recognition of his life-saving efforts in rescuing a young man, who had Downs Syndrome, from drowning in a swimming pool, and also for assisting an elderly man who had crashed his car at Exceat.

Newhaven lifeboat Coxswain Paul Legendre said: “Our high standard of first aid training enables our volunteers to assist in medical emergencies in their daily lives ashore.

“Mike’s quick actions made the difference with the young man in the pool.”

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