Derbyshire lifesavers receive two major awards in recognition of their dedication to water safety from The Royal Life Saving Society UK
On Saturday, at the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s National Presentation of Honours, Derbyshire residents Paul Dickenson was awarded Honorary UK Life Governor, and Daniel Woodthorpe received The Stanley Peck Area Organiser of the Year Trophy.
It is the first time that these merit and special awards for dedication to lifesaving have been presented by RLSS UK to members in Derbyshire.
Paul Dickerson has been involved in lifesaving since he was young. Over 50 years of volunteering for RLSS UK, Paul has served on the Derbyshire Branch executive committee and as Branch Chairman. For many years, he was an examiner (Trainer Assessor) for lifesaving and lifeguarding qualifications, and he also served on national committees for lifesaving and water safety education.
Paul said, “I’ve lost track of the number of people I’ve trained, mentored, and coached in swimming and lifesaving. It’s down to dedication. Why do we do this? My motivation has always been my love of passing on water safety education.”
Whether through his work as an educator or in the courts as a magistrate, Paul’s commitment to maintaining standards has ensured that each generation receives the best knowledge and skills to stay safe in and around water.
Decades of commitment to his club, Heanor Swimming and Lifesaving Club, and RLSS UK, have built strong camaraderie in Derbyshire, which was apparent at the ceremony, with Paul’s family, local and national members all showing their support.
Fellow Derbyshire Branch member Daniel Woodthorpe also grew up in this supportive and encouraging environment. He started swimming at 11 and began competing in lifesaving sport (the only sport whose skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes) with Ripley RASCALS at 12, going on to win many individual and team national medals. The importance of learning about water safety, including the risks around water, is personal for Daniel, as he tragically lost his best friend to drowning.
Daniel was determined to give back and help others develop their skills in a sport he loves. In 2007, he began coaching and producing successful, confident, and considerate athletes with commitment, expertise, and positivity. In 2016, Daniel became Lead Coach for RASCALS. In 2022 and 2025, he was selected as a GBR Pool Coach, and he went on to help lead England teams to gold medal success.
Daniel said:
“My professional work in child protection has influenced the way I approach coaching. I see how important it is for children and young people to have positive opportunities, supportive adults around them, and places where they feel safe, included and valued. A lifesaving club can offer all those things. Lifesaving naturally encourages you to look beyond yourself: to work as a team, look out for others and understand that your actions can make a difference. I think those are valuable lessons for life, whatever direction someone ultimately takes. You hope that the people you train will never have to use their skills in a real emergency, but you want them to be prepared if they ever do.”
On winning the Stanley Peck Trophy, a first for Derbyshire, Daniel said:
“I’m honoured and very proud to receive this award. I see it as recognition not only of my own contribution, but also of the wider lifesaving community in Derbyshire and everyone who has helped make it what it is today. More than anything, I hope the work we are doing now will encourage and support the next generation of lifesavers in the same way that others supported me.”
This year, the RLSS UK National Presentation of Honours recognised and celebrated 280 volunteers from across the UK and Ireland for their years of continuous service, for their meritorious contributions, and for carrying out exceptional work in helping others enjoy water safely, free from drowning.
