RNLI Fishguard congratulates new volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
A volunteer at RNLI Fishguard celebrated a successful start to the year following completion of rigorous training and assessment to take up the role of Lifeboat Press Officer.
Volunteer crew member Cedwyn Rogers took up the challenge of becoming a trainee Lifeboat Press Officer after his predecessor, Peter Kedward, retired from the role with thanks after many years.
Following an interview process in January 2023, Cedwyn has worked hard over the past 12 months to complete the mandatory training and compile a portfolio of work demonstrating his skills in preparation for an in-depth assessment by an RNLI media trainer.
Every RNLI station has at least one press officer whose role is to highlight rescues and training launches carried out by our volunteers to the public through various media outlets. They also promote community fundraising events for our charity, advertise recruitment opportunities and share key water safety messages. They do this by developing relationships with local media and writing regular news releases for publication online and in print. The press officer will also assist with media visits to the station, either pre planned or following launches, liaising with journalists and preparing other station volunteers for interview. As part of the role they may also manage the station’s social media pages, posting news, content and interacting with followers.
Cedwyn joined the crew at RNLI Fishguard in September 2022 as a shore crew volunteer. In this time he has also progressed to trainee crew on the station’s inshore and all weather lifeboats. Passing this recent assessment certifies him for 5 years in the role of press officer, at which time he will be reassessed to keep his skills current in the ever changing and fast paced arena of media.
Cedwyn Rogers, Volunteer RNLI Press Officer said:
‘It is such a privilege to be in this position of promoting the work of the RNLI. As a child, I witnessed St Davids lifeboat launch to the aid of my grandfather, following an accident on Ramsey Island. I have never forgotten the difference they made to my family during that moment of fear. I am proud to be trusted to tell the stories of our charity in this, our 200th year of saving lives at sea. Stories that I can only tell thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Looking ahead to the next 200 years we can be certain that whoever we are and however we support the RNLI, we are one crew with one goal; to save every one”.
RNLI Fishguard congratulates new volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer