Life saving champion ‘overwhelmed’ as friends from across nearly 70 years of volunteering gather for British Empire Medal ceremony in Littlehampton

The founder of Littlehampton Wave Life Saving Club and former chair of Horsham Life Saving Club was honoured for his outstanding commitment to life saving in his local seaside community.

David was awarded a British Empire Medal in the King's Birthday Honours List 2025 and the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard, presented it in a ceremony at the Millenium Chamber at Littlehampton Town Hall on Monday, November 17.

David said: "The whole afternoon was a delight and very humbling. It was all a bit overwhelming with so many people who had made the effort to be there, some friends there who were involved in life saving dating back to over 65 years ago now."

He has been involved with the RLSS since 1957, when he learned life saving skills at school, and has been elected branch president in three counties, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and twice in Sussex. He set up the Littlehampton club six years ago, when pool space became available at the new Littlehampton Wave leisure centre, and is now the club's chair and lead instructor.

Lady Emma congratulated David on his award, telling him it was 'enormously special' because it was awarded to people 'who do wonderful and great things for their community'.

She added: "Frankly, I can't imagine the amount of lives that you have saved, potentially and actually, and also, the ripple effect into your community has been absolutely incredible."

David is now an honorary member of the RLSS in recognition of his outstanding contribution to water safety.

Reading the citation, Deputy Lieutenant Sally Gunnell said: "David was one of the lead instructors at Horsham Life Saving Club. However, he was aware that there was a need for a life saving club in his home town of Littlehampton and, in 2019, with the support of the manager of the newly-built sports centre and the local council, founded the very first life saving club in the area, the Littlehampton Wave Life Saving Club."

David, who started by joining Portsmouth Voluntary Life Guards at the age of 14, thanked Littlehampton Town Council for the support it had given to the club.

He joined Horsham LSC after moving to Billingshurst and took over as chair and lead instructor in 1992. After retirement, he moved to Littlehampton in 2009 but continued in his role at the Horsham club until 2022.

David said: "I've had a tremendous amount of fun, tremendous amount of joy and a tremendous amount of satisfaction dealing with all the people that I have come across during that time. It's been absolutely marvellous."