Five members of the Furness Coastguard team have received the King's Coronation Medal.

The proud recipients were Neil Armistead, Ronni Mugridge, Jason Benn, Steve McKellar and Paul Helm.

The Coronation Medal 2024 was given to those who had completed five years’ continued service by the date of the Coronation (6 May 2023).

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The commemorative medal is issued to roles such as front-line emergency workers, police, prison services and the Armed Forces.

This is in addition to people who actively contributed to the Coronation itself.

The medals came directly from the Royal Mint and were delivered to HM Coastguard headquarters in Southampton which were then distributed to the corresponding commanders. 

(Image: Wayne Moyes) HM Coastguard Area Commander for the North West and North Wales Michael Buratti presented the members with the medals.

Coastguard Rescue Teams are made up entirely of specially-trained and equipped volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to a wide range of emergency incidents.

This includes people needing help in the water, mud rescues, helicopter operations, and missing person searches.

Officers can be called out in all-weather conditions, and may have to work in hazardous situations as well as carry out physically demanding tasks.

(Image: Wayne Moyes) Station manager Paul Helm, 46, has received three medals in his 17 and half years' service.

These are the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal and now the King's Coronation Medal.

Paul said: "It's an honour for all of us to receive the King's Coronation Medal and we're proud to receive this in recognition of the work we do. 

"As volunteers, we never know what we're going to get called to or what time of day. 

"For instance, in the last few days, we've had three yachts that have run aground.

(Image: Wayne Moyes) "Over the years, we've visited incidents that involved everything from suicidal people to explosives.

"What we do can be quite upsetting, especially if its missing persons or may involve a dead body.

"To receive a medal such as this is recognition of that and all of the birthdays, christenings and parties that have been interrupted with callouts, so we're really honoured."