RNLI volunteers from New Quay attended a royal garden party to celebrate the 200th birthday of the charity.

On May 23, seven crew members from New Quay Lifeboat Station travelled to London to mark the anniversary of The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The New Quay RNLI attendees were coxswain Daniel Potter, mechanic Bernie Davies and crew members Rees-Tom Jones, Huw Williams, Dylan Price, and Simon Rigby.

The crew received gallantry awards for their bravery during Storm Arwen in November 2021, rescuing three Irish rowers. Mr Rigby and Tomas Davies were also invited as they recently received long service awards for 20 years' service.

Mr. Potter said: "It was an honour to attend the special RNLI garden party at Buckingham Palace last week.

"It was a wonderful occasion to represent our lifeboat station.

"Our mechanic Bernie Davies met HRH The Princess Royal and chatted about our gallantry awards and the station."

His Majesty the King granted permission for the special gathering at Buckingham Palace, hosted by The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and RNLI president HRH The Duke of Kent.

Approximately 2,500 of the RNLI’s long-serving volunteers, staff and families were present at the event, representing various groups such as lifeboat crew, lifeguards, water safety volunteers, fundraisers, recipients of meritorious service awards and The King’s Birthday and New Year Honours.

Since the RNLI's inception on March 4, 1824, the charity has saved more than 146,277 lives, which averages about two lives every day for 200 years.

The charity currently operates 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland.