A dedicated couple have been honoured for their help saving hundreds of lives at sea over 40 years.

Mike and Gill Evans of York Hill, Loughton, have raised money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) since 1977 and were recently both awarded the institution’s Gold Badge with Bar.

Mr Evans, 74, is chairman and honourary secretary of the Loughton and Woodford fundraising branch, while Mrs Evans, 73, is assistant honourary secretary.

Between them they have helped raise many thousands of pounds – more than £11,000 last year – to help support the voluntary crews saving lives around the coast and on the country’s waterways.

Mr Evans said his passion for the lifeboats started about 70 years ago.

“In my childhood I would go to the seaside quite often with my grandparents.

“I would always go down to see the lifeboats and watch them go out,” he said.

“Launching into very, very dangerous weather is daunting but they do not think about it, they go regardless.”

The fundraising couple were married 50 years ago and have lived in York Hill ever since.

Organising collections, fundraising stalls and events, they oversaw the Loughton and district branch’s merger with Wanstead and Woodford in 2001.

Mrs Evans said: “We have really worked as team over the years, looking after the sales and the volunteering and everything.

“It has been very much a joint effort.

“It is nice to be recognised, 40 years is a long time.”

Working with other volunteers, the couple say they are pleased to do a worthwhile job.

Mrs Evans added: “If we are at the coast and there is a lifeboat station, we always go and have a look and talk to any crew members who are there.

“It is really like one big family.”

Mr and Mrs Evans will next be fundraising at King Harold Day in Waltham Abbey on Saturday October 8.