Causeway Coast lifesaving story features on RNLI 200 Voices podcast

On a dull June afternoon Annie Jagoe, now a volunteer crew member at Portrush RNLI, was part of the lifeguard team working on the Causeway Coast beaches. In the 200 Voices podcast she recalls a lifesaving story which has a happy and somewhat surprising outcome.

Annie’s is the first story from Northern Ireland in this unique podcast series where we hear from people connected to the RNLI and whose lives have been touched by the lifesaving charity.

Future episodes include Phil Coulter telling the story of how he came to compose the RNLI anthem ‘Home from the Sea’; former President of Ireland Mary McAleese reflects on the cross-border work of the RNLI; naval architect Peter Eyre explains what’s so special about the Shannon class lifeboat; Jim Browne of Donaghadee RNLI on how a boyhood tragedy inspired a lifelong commitment to the charity and from Cushendall, RNLI Trustee Paddy McLoughlin tells of the RNLI partnership with the GAA.

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.’

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.

· Annie Jagoe 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 00353 874764436.

Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 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.