Sandown Town Council has presented Todd Miller, Beach Manager of the Sandown Lifeguards Team, a commemorative mascot in recognition of the outstanding work of his team in the town this Summer.
A team was established at short notice after the COVID lockdown restrictions were eased.
The end of season report includes details of 536 beach-related incidents responded to over the course of the Summer.
Town Mayor Paddy Lightfoot said:
“The team are to be congratulated on their contribution to keeping Sandown’s beach safe. They have been very visible and proactive, saving the lives of a mother and young son who went out of their depth and had to be rescued, as well as other preventative actions during the Summer”.
Plans are being developed to enhance the lifeguard service and to reintroduce drowning preventative initiatives such as school talks, hopefully contributing to Sandown retaining its Blue Flag Status.
The Town Council has also funded rubbish collection on the beach, the installation and removal of the buoys and have plans for the reprovision of a public toilet at Eastern Gardens.
Deputy Mayor Heather Humby added:
“The response from the public has been heartening and the team, under Todd’s leadership, deserve recognition for the added safety they have brought to Sandown”.
Paddy concluded:
“It’s really important that we support local organisations, such as the safety team, who are made up of highly trained lifeguards who have really integrated with local longshoremen and the Independent Lifeboat, and we wish to develop this structure in the coming years”.
Well done & well deserved.