Portishead Lifeboat Station volunteer to feature in episode of new RNLI podcast

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 from the charity’s history, through to the current day.

This month, Paul Weston, volunteer helm at Portishead RNLI, will tell listeners how, during lockdown, he and five other sea-going Portishead volunteers recorded a sea shanty to lift their spirits. After being pleasantly surprised at the result, they formed The 85ers, a sea shanty group named after the station's Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

The 85ers went on to attract interest from further afield and were asked to perform at numerous events and festivals, culminating in their biggest surprise of all, an invitation to perform and represent the RNLI at HM King Charles III's Coronation Concert earlier this year.

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 a remarkable 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 the UK and Ireland – and beyond.

The 200 Voices series also includes celebrity ambassadors such as The Sixth Commandment actor Timothy Spall, Gavin and Stacey actress Ruth Jones, Irish musician Phil Coulter, gold medal Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie and BAFTA-winning actress Joanna Scanlan.

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 RNLI.org/200.

Notes to Editor:

· Link to Paul Weston’s episode can be found here.

· An audio trailer for 200 Voices can be downloaded here and the video trailer here.

· Find out more about the RNLI’s bicentenary at RNLI.org/200.

· My Lady Anne is the B-Class Atlantic 85 Lifeboat at Portishead RNLI station, which was specially built by the team at the Isle of Wight RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre after a generous donation by Mr Bill Wraith in memory of his late wife.

· Image 1: Paul Weston, Volunteer Helm, Portishead RNLI crew

· Image 2: Paul Weston, podcast (200 voices) image

For more information please contact Sue Palfrey, volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07584 138320, [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 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.

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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.