HASLEMERE resident Anne Downing was awarded the prestigious gold award by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute for being a “great trooper” for the charity.

Mrs Downing’s involvement with the RNLI was inspired by her parents, who were both very active members of the fundraising branch in the Northumberland area.

Most recently she has served as chairman and secretary of the Haslemere and Hindhead branch.

In her current role as secretary, she has significantly helped current chairman Drummond Russell to raise the branch’s profile locally.

“Anne is a RNLI dynamo whose enthusiasm for the RNLI inevitably motivates all those who come in contact with her,” he said. “She is a team player and remains calm under pressure while having the capacity to take on a huge number of responsibilities.

“There is no doubt Anne is truly deserving of this award. If you want a job done quickly and efficiently ask a busy person.

“This saying epitomises Anne, who is a great trooper for the RNLI cause.”