A Welsh life-saver has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Vivienne Grey, a volunteer crewmember at Little and Broad Haven RNLI since 1990, has been involved in more than 120 ‘shouts’ on the lifeboat and is credited directly for saving the lives of eight people.

She has also volunteered with the local Coastguard Rescue Team for the past 10 years.

A highlight during her time with the RNLI was the rescue of a small boy from the foot of cliffs in 2004. In very rough seas, the lifeboat was manoeuvred close to the cliff base and she, with the aid of her crew, managed to get the boy on board.

More recently her skills were needed to rescue two young children spotted clinging to an open kayak in St Brides Bay in the summer of 2015. Her knowledge of the coastline and seamanship ensured that they were found moments before drowning, recovered and returned safely to shore.

Since 2008, Vivienne has also held the voluntary role of Lifeboat Training Coordinator at the lifeboat station. She coaches and mentors her fellow crew members, ensuring that the high standards of training are maintained.

She is particularly keen to bring on younger members of the team and her interest in encouraging young people is continued through her full-time job teaching in the local primary school.

She is also a mother-of-two and has enlisted her husband, mother and stepfather into volunteering at the station and fundraising branch.

Speaking about receiving her aware, Vivienne said: “I am honoured and extremely proud to receive an MBE for my work with the RNLI. I have been on the crew at Little and Broad Haven for over 25 years and I have been very lucky to serve with so many amazing crew and members of the wider RNLI family.

“Little Haven is a small community and this award recognises the hard work of the whole crew and also the support which the village gives the lifeboat. To know that when the pagers go off, we can go to sea and make a difference to someone’s life is why we volunteer and I am thankful and proud to be part of the RNLI.”

RNLI Chief Executive Paul Boissier said: “There is no doubt that Vivienne is a shining light at Little and Broad Haven RNLI, galvanising and motivating the crew, fundraisers, local community and her primary school students with her exceptional dedication and all round wonderful positivity. “She is held in the upmost regard by all the crew and this is due to her extensive experience, knowledge and professionalism – having the highest attendance for shouts at the station exemplifies her dedication.”

Other Pembrokeshire people honoured were  Brian John Harries for charitable services in Haverfordwest and Martyn Lloyd Williams, the chairman of the Saundersfoot Festivities Association, for services to charities in Pembrokeshire.

Both receive the British Empire Medal.

See much more in Wednesday's Western Telegraph.