25th September 2017. The Southend Citizens Awards recognise individuals who have performed a selfless act or carried out community projects which make a real difference.The awards have been running for ten years and this year’s ceremony was held at the Porters Civic House and Mayor’s Parlour in Southend.

The 2017 Silver Citizen Award went to Michael Taverner for his dedicated work for the National Coastwatch Institution.

Mr Taverner has been volunteering with National Coastwatch for the last 15 years and is now the Station Manager at NCI Southend. Throughout this time, he has helped to recruit and train new volunteer watch keepers and has established and maintained a great relationship with HM Coastguard and the RNLI, which has resulted in excellent co-operation between the organisations. Mr Taverner has also been instrumental in overseeing fundraising and maintenance for the watch station.

Mr Taverner said “ I was surprised when I found out and thrilled to receive the letter, but it’s really down to the volunteers and team around me, so I have to thank them too.”

Photograph courtesy of the Southend Echo