RYA Award and Royal Presentation for Norfolk Volunteers Ruth and Paul Bonham

Ruth and Paul Bonham from Norwich received a Lifetime Commitment Award after being nominated by the Norfolk Schools Sailing Association and selected as winners by the RYA Honours and Awards Panel. They were presented with their Award at One Great George Street, London on Friday 22 November.

The RYA is boating’s national governing body and the Volunteer Awards are considered the ‘MBEs' of the sport, honouring people throughout the UK for their outstanding contributions across all the disciplines the RYA represents, including sailing, windsurfing, motor cruising, inland waterways and personal watercraft.

Watch a video of the awards here

Ruth and Paul have volunteered at the Norfolk Schools Sailing Association for over 30 years, serving on the committee for many years before becoming Trustees in 2011. In addition to taking on leadership roles within the organisation, they have encouraged hundreds of young people to sail, from teaching young sailors to mentoring newly qualified instructors, and showed consistent dedication and commitment to the NSSA.

Paul said: “The RYA laid on a marvellous presentation ceremony following their AGM and we were delighted to receive our Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteering and teaching sailing at Norfolk Schools Sailing Association, Filby. It was a great experience in wonderful surroundings in Westminster.”

Nominations are now invited for the 2020 RYA volunteer awards, visit www.rya.org.uk/go/volunteerawards