Lifesaving stories from Scotland: RNLI 200 Voices podcast to marks bicentenary
Remarkable stories from around Scotland will be shared as part of the RNLI’s new 200 Voices podcast that was launched earlier this month (18 August 2023) and, in the run-up to the charity’s bicentenary on 4 March 2024, an episode will be released every day for 200 days. Exploring captivating stories
The unique podcast series will hear from people connected to the RNLI in Scotland and those whose lives have been touched by the lifesaving charity. Hear from locals with a special kinship to their lifeboat station, a crew member who’s been on service for a generation, or the family of someone rescued by an RNLI frontline lifesaver – each episode is sure to take the listener on a journey through a touching story.
The first episode from Scotland is scheduled for 4 September and is Rescuing Minnie Mouse: Ronnie Copeland. Here the veteran Largs lifeboat man, who was instrumental in saving 296 lives, recalls stories from his time with the charity.
Another soon to be released episode is Weathering the Storm: Dr. Sam Jones (10 September). The Tobermory volunteer reveals how the charity we know today came about and the fact that wild weather and forbidding seas weren’t the only challenges the RNLI faced.
On 11 September Courage in Wartime: a WW1 Rescue comes from Fraserburgh. In 1915, seas carried an extra danger, after a steamer is sunk by a submarine, RNLI lifeboat Lady Rothes is launched. Fraserburgh Sea Cadets pick up the story.
Later in the month two women volunteers in Scotland tell personal stories. On 25 September in Rich Rewards:Olivia Davison, the Kessock crew member celebrates mucking in, coming out and enjoying being part of one crew. The following day (26 September) Punching Through features Peterhead’s Sarah Paterson on being crowned Miss European, and the reactions she gets when people discover she’s a lifeboat crew member.
200 voices also hears a shout out for Lochinver from Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones (22 September) and in Action Stations: Duncan Barbour the North Berwick volunteer shows he’s no stranger to action whether co-ordinating Hollywood chase sequences or launching a lifeboat.
The charity has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives. Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially-trained volunteers, the RNLI is a truly unique rescue organisation with an incredible 200-year story to tell – many highlights of which are shared through the podcast series.
Available across all podcast platforms and the RNLI’s website, listeners can hear from survivors, supporters, volunteers, lifeguards, celebrity ambassadors, historians and many more from across Wales, England, Scotland Ireland and beyond.
RNLI Strategic Content Manager, Rory Stamp said: ‘We knew we had to do something really special to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, which is such a monumental milestone.
‘200 Voices is an incredible collection of stories that are emotive, powerful, inspiring and heart-warming. The series gives us a chance to hear from a whole variety of amazing people who have played a part in or been touched by our lifesaving charity.
‘200 Voices is the first in a programme of activity planned to mark the RNLI’s bicentenary as we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, remember our remarkable history and aim to inspire the future generations of lifesavers and supporters as we move through into the next 200 years.’
Launch into a podcast like no other: Listen to the RNLI’s 200 Voices daily wherever you get your podcasts or at RNLI.org/200Voices.
To find out more about the RNLI’s bicentenary, visit www.RNLI.org/200.
Notes to Editor:
· Episode previews available upon request.
· An RNLI spokesperson is available for interviews.
· An audio trailer for 200 Voices can be downloaded here and a video trailer can be downloaded here.
· Find out more about the RNLI’s bicentenary at RNLI.org/200
· Upcoming episodes from Scotland:
o Rescuing Minnie Mouse: Ronnie Copeland – Monday 4 September 2023
o Weathering the Storm: Dr. Sam Jones – Sunday 10 September 2023
o Courage in Wartime: a WW1 Rescue – Monday 11 September 2023
o 200 Voices Interviews: Ruth Jones – Friday 22 September 2023.
o Rich Rewards: Olivia Davison – Monday 25 September 2023.
o Punching Through: Sarah Paterson – Tuesday 26 September 2023
o Action Stations: Duncan Barbour – Thursday 28 September 2023
RNLI media contacts
To arrange an interview or for more information about the 200 Voices podcast series, contact Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on [email protected] or 00353 874764436.
Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.