Stratford upon Avon BC member receives bravery award

Paul Beardmore was given the award by the Royal Humane Society for saving one of the club’s adaptive athletes from her submerged car

The award was presented to club member Paul Beardmore by Paul Stanton, Stratford upon Avon BC’s President, acting on behalf of HRH Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy who is President of the Royal Humane Society.

The incident was reported extensively by the media when it happened in November 2022:

• Woman rescued from car after it ends up in River Avon in Stratford
• Driver whose car plunged into the River Avon in Stratford survives to tell her story

Commenting, Paul Stanton said, “Stratford upon Avon BC is immensely proud of Paul Beardmore and his selfless act of bravery and quick action which undoubtedly saved the life of a fellow member of the adaptive squad. Paul Beardmore is a self-effacing modest person but the club could not let the presentation pass without honouring Paul. It was especially pleasing that not only fellow members of the adaptive squad were present but also many members of Stratford’s junior squad who had just concluded their four day Easter Junior Sculling Camp.”