Lifeboat families and tradition at the beating heart of the RNLI in Scotland
Generations of volunteering at RNLI lifeboat stations across Scotland, from Aith, Anstruther, Kessock and Tobermory feature this week in the RNLI 200 Voices podcast. Stories of how trust and training have saved lives and forged lifelong friendships abound.
Today’s episode (Monday 23 October) features Rose Skelton, a former member of the crew at Tobermory who was inspired by her father’s volunteering at Dover RNLI.
In ‘A Marriage of Inconvenience’ she tells the story of how the pager went off and she responded to a call-out on her wedding day in the port town.
On Tuesday (24 October) in ‘Part of the Family’ Kessock RNLI volunteer Doug Grant reflects on 125 years of service to the charity across four generations. He recounts how the contribution stretches from his grandfather who was decorated for service at Solent RNLI, through his father also awarded a silver medal to his son who is now RNLI Lifeboat Station Mechanic at Wick.
The final part of this week’s trilogy (Wednesday 25 October) takes the listener to one of the RNLI’s most northerly stations at Aith on the Shetland Isles. In ’60 Degrees North’ Aith RNLI crew member Nick McCaffrey gives a unique insight into life amid violent storms and difficult sea states. An aerial videographer, who’s work has featured on television’s ‘Wild Isles’ describes how relationships in the lifeboat station cement the local community.
The RNLI 200 Voices was launched in August in the lead up to the charity’s 200th birthday next March. The series is designed to commemorate, celebrate and inspire future generations. In another Scottish episode ‘Never Alone’ Barry Gourley, a volunteer crew member at Anstruther RNLI looks to a time when his daughter might one day join the crew.
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.
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.
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:
· Episodes attached for preview.
· Pictures attached.
· 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
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 00 353 874 764 436
Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 00 441202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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 over 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 142,200 lives.
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.