Volunteers from Penarth and Barry Dock lifeboat stations united this Remembrance Day for a special tribute.

They participated in the annual Poppies to Paddington event on November 11 to honour those who served.

This initiative, now in its fifth year, was launched during the pandemic and has since become a tradition.

It brings together communities across England and Wales in remembrance, with wreaths placed on trains heading to London Paddington as a shared tribute to the armed forces.

RNLI volunteers from both lifeboat stations gathered at Cardiff Central Station to hand over two poppy wreaths to Great Western Railways (GWR) staff.

The wreaths were carried on the 8.12am train to London Paddington and were laid at the station’s war memorial on Platform 1, ahead of a special remembrance service.

Barry Dock RNLI water safety officer Lee O’Brien had appealed to the community for crocheted and knitted poppies, which were assembled into a wreath by Sully Causeway water safety officer Ann Gripton.

Laurie Pavlin, president of Penarth Lifeboat Station, led the tribute at Cardiff Central Station.

Laurie was joined by crew members from Penarth, Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, and standard bearer Jim Lock, who received his long service medal this year for 50 years of service to the RNLI.

Laurie Pavlin said: "It was an honour to represent our lifeboat stations and the wider community in this meaningful act of remembrance.

"The Poppies to Paddington event provided us with a unique opportunity to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service, and we’re proud to have been part of this powerful journey."

The RNLI’s participation in Poppies to Paddington is significant due to the charity’s connection to the armed forces and acts of courage during wartime.

Dave Phillips, a crew member at Barry Dock RNLI and former Royal Navy serviceman, who attended the memorial service at Barry Cenotaph, said: "Remembrance keeps their memory alive and honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"I’ll be thinking of them all this Remembrance Day as I meet with fellow veteran friends to remember them."

The RNLI thanked everyone who contributed to creating the wreaths.