This year’s New Year’s Honours List recognised the voluntary contribution given to sailing by two RYA Volunteers.

RYA Thames Valley Chairman Michael Shefras, received an MBE for ‘voluntry service to boating in the Thames Valley’ after completing 25 years service sitting on various River Thames consultative committees working with organisations including the Environment Agency and British Waterways.

An MBE also went to Peter Haigh a 2004 RYA Community Award winner for ‘voluntary service to sailing in West Yorkshire and the Scouts’. Peter received his RYA Community Award after promoting sailing to young and disabled people through Huddersfiled Scout Sailing for over 30 years.