Lifesaving mum of twins will celebrate first ever Mother’s Day
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer and new mum to twins, Nicole Fleming, will be celebrating her first ever Mothers’ Day this weekend.
Since 2016, Nicole has been helping to save lives at sea with the charity as a volunteer at Anstruther Lifeboat Station, while also working as a police officer.
On 8 September 2022, Nicole and her partner Steven welcomed twin baby girls, Maeve and Marcie.
This weekend, Nicole will be celebrating her first Mother’s Day as a mum.
Nicole said: ‘I am super excited for my first Mother’s Day. It’s also my first birthday as a mum on Saturday so I can’t wait for a whole weekend of being spoilt!’
Even with twins, Nicole continues to be committed to her volunteer role at Anstruther RNLI in Fife, Scotland.
She said: ‘Volunteering with the RNLI has definitely changed since I gave birth but I am so lucky to have my partner and amazing mum on hand.
‘I have not been to a shout yet since having the twins however, I know my family and lifeboat crew would help out in a flash. My dad and brother-in-law also volunteer at Anstruther so my mum and sister know the drill when it comes to shouts!
‘If I have to visit the station, I often take the girls with me as I have an amazing support network with my RNLI family. If Maeve or Marcie start to cry, there’s always someone there to rock the pram or take them for a walk.’
Starting off by helping out at RNLI fundraising events, Nicole signed up as a volunteer shore crew member and after just one year, she is now crew on the Mersey class and D class lifeboats at Anstruther.
She said: ‘I wanted to join as I enjoyed spending time with a great bunch of people. I love volunteering for the RNLI and the rewarding feeling you get when you’ve helped someone in need.’
During her six years on crew, she has been on many shouts, including a memorable launch to a blind dog that had fallen off the pier onto some rocks.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, Nicole has shared her advice for other mums who may be looking to volunteer: ‘Do it! It’s so rewarding, and my lifeboat family provide such great support.
‘Being a mum shouldn’t stop you! I am hoping to complete my helm training course this year and if I manage, I’ll be the first female helm at Anstruther, and I’ll have done it with two children. It shows that nothing can stop you.’
RNLI lifesavers like Nicole are powered by the generosity of the public. If you would like to help us save lives at sea, please visit RNLI.org/GoDonate.Notes to editors
- Photos of Nicole, Maeve and Marcie are available for download here. Image credit: Lynsey Melville Photography
- Generic Anstruther RNLI images available for download here.
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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.
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