RNLI 200 Voices

In 2001, the RNLI launched a brand-new beach lifeguarding service. From struggling swimmers to stranded surfers, RNLI lifeguards have been keeping beaches safer for 25 years. They're highly trained, fit, and equipped to save lives. This is their story.  WE ARE LIFEGUARDS is an RNLI production  rnli.org.uk/WeAreLifeguards

In this special one-off RNLI podcast, discover real Stories of Courage that explore the lifesaving work of courageous lifeboat crews during the Second World War. Historian Dan Jones reveals true tales of volunteers who faced whole new dangers at sea between 1939 and 1945. You’ll hear stories about some of the most extraordinary Second World War rescues by RNLI crews, from pulling Battle of Britain...

Marking 200 years of lifesaving and clocking up more than 200,000 listens - this podcast shared daily short episodes, each one featuring the voice of someone whose life has been touched by the RNLI. Now a new taster episode gives you extracts from just a few of the 200 Voices - from comedy actor, writer and RNLI supporter Ruth Jones, to Stanley E Holtom, who accidentally went to the Dunkirk evacua...

On the RNLI's 200th anniversary, the charity's Chief Executive reflects on his 5 years at the wheel In the final episode of 200 Voices, hear from the person who has led the RNLI through some of its toughest challenges and into our 200th anniversary year: the charity's Chief Executive, Mark Dowie. With a love for the RNLI that grew from helping with rescues as a young sailor and later signing up as...

200 Voices might be a podcast, but when the composer of the theme music created the soundtrack, it was a movie that played in his head The sea doesn’t want for drama. And with its ever-changing moods - from blissful calm to surging swells - it has long inspired musicians. In it, Jon Nicholls, composer of the 200 Voices soundtrack, finds beauty and danger in equal measure. Jon reveals how he went a...

The writer of One Crew – an RNLI history book – recounts some of the names and stories that time forgot Over 200 years the RNLI has saved more than 144,000 lives. Many rescues and achievements are rightly celebrated, but some sit below the horizon. So when maritime historian Helen Doe set about the daunting task of capturing 2 centuries’ worth of lifesaving and loss, the author decided that it was...

In Welsh, Porthdinllaen crew member and TV producer Mali Parry-Jones recalls the real-life drama of a call out to a sailor who’d suffered a stroke Growing up on the Llyn Peninsula, Mali was always aware of her local lifeboat. Porthdinllaen RNLI was the constant backdrop to her childhood, whether she was hearing the maroons firing or pedalling her bike to spot the launch. By 2012 Mali was a TV prod...

The force behind the launch - Mark Smith on powering his crew to a Silver Medal rescue  When his pager went off on 20 May 2021, Trearddur Bay RNLI Tractor Driver Mark Smith knew exactly what it was about. Moments before, he’d looked out of his window and spotted three surfers struggling in treacherous swell and waves.  Mark talks about the incredibly challenging shout, which led to his fellow volu...

The charity's founder was a man on a mission. In his words from 1823, we see the same guiding vision that’s saving lives 2 centuries later On 28 February 1823, RNLI founder Sir William Hillary wrote his Appeal to the Nation. It set out his vision for a voluntary organisation, supported by charitable donations to save lives at sea. A vision so forward-thinking that its principles hold true today. A...

Former Torbay RNLI Coxswain Keith Bower remembers a life-changing rescue  On December 6, 1976, just before 1am, when most were sleeping soundly, Torbay RNLI’s then Acting Coxswain Keith Bower was woken by an urgent call for help. It marked the start of a shout for which Keith was awarded a Gold Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry.  Faced with storm conditions, 12m waves and crew members suffering seas...

It was anything but a day of rest – a legendary St Davids Coxswain on his greatest test For local fisherman Dai Chant, volunteering on the St Davids lifeboat was perhaps inevitable. On 26 February 1989, the Mayday call came in for his most dangerous shout – to lead the rescue of four fellow fishermen, as their trawler Stephanie Jane dragged perilously towards South Bishop Lighthouse. Coxswain Chan...

In an age of selfies, photographer Jack Lowe uses Victorian methods on his quest to capture lifeboat crew from every RNLI lifeboat station. He tells us why For a 200-year-old institution, it’s fitting that photographer Jack Lowe’s Lifeboat Station Project allows us to see the modern work of the RNLI through a historical lens – quite literally. In 2015, Jack set out on a 10-year mission in his mobi...

The 20th Chairman of the RNLI reflects on why 200 years of lifesaving connects us all What does it mean to be part of the RNLI? In his lifelong connection with our charity, Charles Hunter-Pease has been gathering stories to answer that question. From his childhood hearing the maroons fire and awaiting the Filey lifeboat crew’s safe return, Charles has gone on to support the RNLI as both a business...

At the RNLI, we don’t just answer calls for help. Alison Murphy on the privilege of hearing from our supporters Phone the RNLI to ask a question, make a donation or just have a chat, and you’ll speak to Alison or one of her 26-strong team. For more than 20 years, the Supporter Experience Manager has been one of the friendly, compassionate voices answering your calls. From Christmas Day companionsh...

When seasoned swimmer Michael got into difficulty, open-water safety training guided him - and his crew - onshore Many of us have been discovering the joys of winter dips lately. Michael’s cold-water odyssey started with cold showers and learning the Wim Hof Method of breathing. Now you’ll find him dipping in Scarborough’s North or South Bay several times a week. For Michael, getting into chilly w...

When Dom Jackson went missing while kayaking in 2017, a 5-day search ensued. Since his death, his sister Ellie has called on others to take vital steps to keep themselves safe at sea  It wasn’t unusual for Dom to head off on an outdoor adventure - he had an adventurous spirit - but when he failed to return home after a lone kayaking trip, Ellie knew it was serious. Lost at sea, in freezing conditi...

Protection, layering, flexibility – the team behind our latest crew kit explain what makes the ultimate ‘cape’ for lifeboat heroes Which reflective material shines through fog? How high should a jacket collar be to protect crew in the harshest conditions?  These questions – and more – have been put to the test by the Helly Hansen Pro team, who partnered with the RNLI to develop our new crew kit in...

To survive for over 4 hours in freezing waters, two friends turn their thoughts to home Benny Thomson remembers 25 November 2012 as the day that changed his life forever. It would set him on a new career path, and on a course to volunteer beside his rescuers at Broughty Ferry RNLI. On an ill-fated jet ski trip, lifelong friends Benny and Gavin found themselves in the ‘washing machine’ waters of Ab...

Ripped from her surfboard and alone in the waves, Ruth held on to advice that would save her life For Ruth Osborne, a holiday in Cornwall sparked a move to Newquay and a sport that captured her heart. Learning beside competent surfers, she became more confident in the waves. But she always feared losing her board and being left out of her depth. When the worst happened, Ruth had to catch her breat...

After the Penlee lifeboat disaster, the RNLI’s collection boxes overflowed with donations. Val Nixon MBE fought through ice and snow to help keep up with the outpouring of generosity  The winter of 1981 was one of the coldest on record. Snow and ice meant the RNLI closed the north-east office early for Christmas. But, on the morning after the Penlee disaster on 19 December, Val Nixon managed to ge...

Diane Allton suffered from aquaphobia and couldn’t swim. At 55, she confronted her fears and took the plunge  The bravery of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews is clear to see. But courage can come in other guises – and for Diane, confronting her fear of water has taken great strength. A traumatic event when she was a teenager left Diane with aquaphobia. For years she avoided water until World Drowning...

The late John Sharp’s gift to the RNLI honours his remarkable family history in helping to save lives at sea  When John Sharp passed away in 2019, he left a generous gift to the Charities Aid Foundation and wrote a letter to his brother, Anthony, with a list of charities to consider as beneficiaries – one of which was the RNLI.  Anthony shares how, in his retirement, John had researched the Sharp...

200 Voices producer and former Kessock RNLI volunteer Dan Holland on the day he knew he wanted to be a lifeboat crew member In this episode, we turn the mic to one of the producers behind the series. At the age of 8, Dan Holland stood in awe watching Flamborough RNLI lifeboat launch into the waves, vowing that one day, he would volunteer. He literally had the T-shirt. Dan made good on his wish, la...

The RNLI’s Artwork Manager reveals the painstaking work that goes into colourising the charity’s archive photos, and reveals the stories behind three of them Extraordinary stories from ordinary people deserve to be remembered. And 200 Voices is one way in which the RNLI is ensuring that these stories are not forgotten. But it’s not the only way. David Constant leads the RNLI's Artwork team - who u...

From polishing the lifeboat station brass as a child, to seeing his own son join the crew, Mike Picknett’s connection to the RNLI is lifelong  Man and boy – and beyond. That’s the way to describe Mike Picknett’s service with the RNLI. Currently Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar Lifeboat Station, Mike was sweeping the lifeboat station floor at the tender age of nine, and his family’s connection...