Royal Humane Society

05/06/2026

The Royal Humane Society Awards 2026 – The President's Award

The President's Award is given each year to the young person under 18 whose life-saving act the Society considers the most meritorious. This year it went to Mya Gilman who, in the most terrifying of circumstances, saved her father's life after he was attacked by the family dog inflicting a catastrophic arterial wound to his arm.

Mya was 15 years old and the reason her father survived.

The award was presented to Mya by Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Sir William Russell and Chairman Rupert Novis in the presence of her father at Haberdashers’ Hall.

Since its founding over 250 years ago, the Royal Humane Society has ensured that acts of bravery like Mya's are never forgotten.

Other than awards made by the Crown, the Society is the oldest and premier national body for honouring bravery. Support our work and help ensure lifesaving heroes like Mya continue to receive the recognition they deserve: https://royalhumanesociety.org.uk/join

03/06/2026

The Royal Humane Society Awards 2026 - Honouring Extraordinary Bravery

In June, 2024 three girls were caught in a powerful rip current and pulled out to sea in Cornwall. At extreme risk to their own lives, Zaid and Jack swam out to reach them against the tide. All three girls were saved.

Sadly, Jack Lees did not make it back.

At this year's Royal Humane Society Awards, we were proud to recognise Zaid Anfoka, who received the Silver Medal and Jack Edward Lees whose family was awarded the Silver Medal in Memoriam. Our hearts go out to all of them.

We are also deeply grateful to have the support of His Excellency Manar Dabbas, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Kingdom, who attended to witness Zaid receive his medal, and meet with the Lees family, and said:

"It is an honour to witness Zaid Anfoka, a citizen of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, receive the Silver Medal from the Royal Humane Society. While the events of 4th June 2024 were profoundly tragic, Zaid demonstrated a level of courage that fills all Jordanians with immense pride. I express my gratitude to the Royal Humane Society for recognising both his, and those of his friend, Jack Lees', heroic actions. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jack, and may it bring them solace that his heroic actions were for a noble cause."

The awards were presented by Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Sir William Russell and Chairman Rupert Novis at The Haberdashers' Company’ Hall.

For more than 250 years, the Royal Humane Society has recognised extraordinary acts of courage in the saving of human life. Other than awards made by the Crown, the Society is the oldest and premier national body for honouring bravery.

Support our work and help ensure they continue to receive the recognition they deserve: https://royalhumanesociety.org.uk/join

Graham Baker Photography

31/05/2026

Award Season is here!

The Royal Humane Society held its Annual Awards Ceremony at The Haberdashers' Company Hall and this year saw the largest number of medals ever awarded at a single ceremony.

Six silver medals (including one in memoriam), eight bronze medals, and four further awards were presented to extraordinary individuals.

They were presented by Lord Mayor in Locum Tenens Sir William Russell and our Chairman, Rupert Novis, before His Excellency, awardees, families, guests and members.

Chairman, Rupert Novis, said:

"The record number of awards today in recognition of acts of bravery in the saving of human life is deeply humbling and truly special. It shows that bravery can happen at any time, anywhere, and by ordinary people."

Over the coming weeks we will be sharing the remarkable stories of each of our awardees as well as reflections from those that attended.

Follow us to meet every awardee and consider supporting the Society's vital work at https://bit.ly/RhsWeb - a charity with roots stretching back over 250 years.

We are the oldest and premier national body for honouring bravery in saving human life outside of awards made by the Crown.

Photo credit: Graham Baker Photography

29/05/2026

Something special happened here…

Each year, we recognise remarkable people who, often at great risk to themselves, have saved or attempted to save a life.

Brave, humble and selfless, they represent the very best of humanity.

Surrounded by family, friends, and distinguished guests, this year’s awardees were no exception and we are so proud of all of them.

We can’t reveal everything just yet so watch this space to find out more!

25/05/2026

PC Hawley said the award was "humbling", adding: "It just reassures you that, despite all the negativity that's out there about policing, we do some really good things.”

We are delighted that four officers honoured by the Royal Humane Society last year have now also received bravery awards from the South Yorkshire Police Federation.

PCs Bell, Hawley, Holden and Akhtar attended an incident at Doncaster Station in 2024, where a woman was critically injured by a train.

Read here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1m2807vy3jo

The Royal Humane Society has recognised lifesaving bravery for over 250 years and remains the premier national body, outside Crown honours, for recognising the saving of human life. To support our mission visit: https://royalhumanesociety.org.uk/join

South Yorkshire Police Metropolitan Police Federation

Four South Yorkshire Police officers are honoured for saving a woman at Doncaster Station in 2024.

21/05/2026

Acts of courage during a sea rescue last summer have been recognised by the Royal Humane Society.

Veronica and Sinéad received Honorary Testimonials for helping save five siblings who got into difficulty in the water.

Fourteen-year-old Mary was recognised for her bravery in keeping her sister Catherine, who could not swim, afloat during the ordeal.

They also received a special letter from Irish President Catherine Connolly and recognition from the Coastguard and the Royal Lifesaving Society.

Read the full story here: https://thedownrecorder.co.uk/2026/05/06/lifesavers-honoured-at-a-coastguard-event/

The Royal Humane Society is one of the UK's oldest charities having been founded in 1774 and the oldest charity for recognising bravery and lifesaving in the UK,

To support our mission visit: https://royalhumanesociety.org.uk/join

HomeLatest news Latest news Lifesavers honoured at a Coastguard event By Down Recorder Reporter May 6, 2026 0 373 FacebookWhatsApp Mickey Kelly presented Sinéad and Veronica with letters from the office of the President of Ireland. SR02-060526 Amazing acts of courage during a sea rescue last summer...

18/05/2026

“When the officers came through the door my heart had stopped and they did CPR on me for 22 minutes. Without their first aid skills I would be dead.”

PC Charlotte Barrowcliffe, Sergeant Tom Else and PCs Reeve, Stanley and Wilson were presented with a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Award on Thursday 14 May 2026 in recognition of their lifesaving actions that day.

Their calmness, skill and determination gave one man a second chance at life.

Read the full story here: https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2026/april/loughborough-man-thanks-officers-who-saved-his-life/

If you’d like to find out more about our work, get in touch.

15/05/2026

The Society is proud to highlight two very special heroes from Redditch; Con Caitlin Bean and Seb Britton.

Both members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team were recently recognised by the Society for their incredible actions in helping save a man’s life.

Read and share their story: https://redditchstandard.co.uk/news/two-redditch-police-officers-honoured-after-saving-mans-life/

The Royal Humane Society has recognised bravery and acts of lifesaving for over 250 years, awarding medals and certificates to civilians and emergency responders who go above and beyond to protect others.

By backing the Royal Humane Society, you help ensure that brave people like PC Bean and Seb Britton receive the recognition they deserve and inspire others to act with courage when it matters most.

Join our Society and support our work here: https://bit.ly/RHSGOV

The CPR was successful and a pulse was found on the man in time for ambulance crews to arrive and commence further CPR.

15/05/2026

With Great Bristol 10k & Half Marathon – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

12/05/2026

“Taxi round the corner?” Nigel joked at the start line of the Great Bristol Run Half Marathon.

We love your humour Nigel! But there was nothing easy about what Susan and Nigel achieved and we could not be prouder to have had them running for the Royal Humane Society at the Great Bristol Run.

Susan came to running later in life after “doing everything possible” to avoid it at school. After COVID disrupted her goal of completing a Half Ironman triathlon, she lost her way with the sport for a time. Completing the Run was only her second ever half marathon and another important step towards achieving her Half Ironman goal in 2027.

For Nigel, this was his third half marathon, completed the day after his 57th birthday. Living with a debilitating form of arthritis, staying active is not just a challenge but essential. Through determination, medication and the support of his running and walking group, Gone Rogue, he continues to push himself to help others and support causes he believes in.

Their positivity, resilience and spirit were inspiring from start to finish!!!

Thank you Susan and Nigel for taking on this challenge in support of the Royal Humane Society and the lifesaving courage we exist to honour.

There's still time to donate whatever you can and support their incredible efforts:

Susan: https://ajbellgreatbristolrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/susan-jackson

Nigel: https://ajbellgreatbristolrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/nigel-long



Great Bristol 10k & Half Marathon