Brave and dependable: awards for WOPR lifeguards (photos)

They patrol beaches and swimming areas, promote swimming education, conduct training sessions and prevention initiatives, and thanks to them we feel safe by the lakes — lifeguards of the Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR) from across the voivodeship gathered on Friday (14 November) at the Nicolaus Copernicus University Assembly Hall to summarise the past season. Medals and acknowledgements were also presented.

“The work of water rescue personnel is not limited to summer patrols at the lakes — it is year-round service,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki. “Thank you for your dedication, commitment, sacrifice, and readiness to provide help at any moment. The cooperation between the regional government and the Volunteer Water Rescue Service is exemplary and delivers fantastic results that benefit residents across the region every day.”

Friday’s ceremony began with the awarding of the WOPR Honorary Medals “Helping Hand” to lifeguards distinguished for exemplary and selfless service, as well as to individuals who contributed to saving the life or health of those in need.

The medals were awarded to:

Lifeguards of Nadgoplański WOPR and the Kuyavian-Pomeranian WOPR:
– Jarosław Wiśniewski
– Remigiusz Banachowski
– Juliusz Stankiewicz
– Maciej Banachowski
Zuzanna Krycka – lifeguard of Lipno WOPR
Kinga Idczak – lifeguard of Gopło WOPR
Kinga Kaczmarek – lifeguard of Pałuki WOPR
Izabela Jaroszewska – lifeguard of the Regional WOPR in Bydgoszcz
Andrzej Jaroszewski

The meeting was also an opportunity to extend thanks for their commitment to improving water safety.

Marshal’s Office support for water rescue teams

The Kujawsko-Pomorskie regional government consistently supports WOPR’s activities in the region. Under the European Funds for Kujawsko-Pomorskie 2021–2027, we are allocating 7 million PLN for the purchase of equipment for WOPR — including vehicles, ATVs, boats, kayaks and defibrillators. “This is the largest project in Poland supporting volunteer water rescue units,” emphasised Maciej Banachowski, president of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie WOPR.

Every year, funds from the regional budget are allocated for patrolling water bodies and ensuring safety at lakes during the summer season. Last year, we allocated 130,000 PLN for this purpose.

Funds from the 2014–2020 RPO programme enabled the purchase of training equipment and tools to improve search and rescue operations.

Thanks to the implementation of the EU training project, nearly one thousand residents of our region have obtained the qualifications required to work in water rescue and to provide first aid.

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

14 November 2025
Last updated: 15 November 2025