RNLI and Girlguiding North East England join forces on water safety education
The RNLI is working with Girlguiding North East England in a partnership to teach young girls how to stay safe in, on and around the water.
This engaging water safety education resource called ‘Mayday, Mayday’, focuses on four key safety messages and has been developed so that all age sections of Girlguiding can use it (Rainbows 4-7, Brownies 7-10, Guides 10-14 and Rangers 14-18). It will be launched at Bridlington Lifeboat Station on the May 1 with representatives from the RNLI and Girlguiding North East.
Simon Bristow, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager said: ‘We know that educating young people about water safety is fundamental to saving lives and is a core part of the RNLI’s prevention work. The more young people we can reach with our water safety messages, the more lives we can save now and in the future.
‘So we’re delighted to be collaborating with Girlguiding North East England, one of the regions of Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated to girls aged 4-18.’
Linda Grant, Chief Commissioner for Girlguiding North East England said: ‘We are very excited to be launching a new partnership between Girlguiding North East England and the RNLI.
‘With hundreds of miles of coastline along the North East, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast, plus inland waterways and lakes, our young members are often taking part in adventurous activities on the water, we are delighted that they will be able to learn more about water safety in a fun and engaging way.
‘We can’t wait for our young members to find out more about the fantastic work of the RNLI, hear inspiring stories from female members of the lifeboat crews and find out more about the varying roles that RNLI volunteers get up to.’
In 2021 the ‘Mayday, Mayday’ resource rolled out in the south west Girlguiding region where many young girls have been taught the lifesaving skills.
Simon added: ‘The idea behind this brilliant partnership came from Deborah Meadows, one of our Water Safety Education Volunteers based at Bembridge Lifeboat Station.
‘Deborah also has many voluntary roles within Girlguiding South West England including Trainer Qualification Co-ordinator for the region, and a Rainbow and Brownie Leader on the Isle of Wight’.
Deborah is one of the thousands of volunteers that make up both Girlguiding and the RNLI. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This year is also an extraordinary year for the RNLI as the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Deborah said: ‘As a volunteer with my local Rainbow and Brownie unit and as part of the RNLI Water Safety Team, I know firsthand the impact this kind of partnership can have.
‘At its core this collaboration is about sharing key messages that will ultimately save lives – but it’s also a fantastic way to introduce young girls to the potential opportunities an organisation like the RNLI has to offer.
‘As a world-leading search and rescue organisation/charity there is a huge variety of volunteer and career opportunities. These range from operational roles like flying hovercrafts and lifeguarding beaches, to data analysis, fundraising and building the lifeboats of the future.’
This collaboration isn’t the first time Girlguiding and the RNLI have come together to save lives. Back in 1940 during World War II, the Girl Guides raised £5000 for a self-righting motor-class lifeboat as one of the targets of the Guide Gift Week appeal.
The lifeboat was initially unnamed as it was called into service straight from the builder's yard for the Dunkirk evacuation on 1 June 1940.
From May 1941, after Dunkirk, the lifeboat was stationed at Cadgwith Lifeboat Station in Cornwall. In 1947 it was officially named Guide of Dunkirk in honour of its lifesaving service.
In 1963 the Guide of Dunkirk was retired and sold into private ownership. The boat was renamed Girl Guide by its owner and can still be seen today where it's kept in Mevagissey, Cornwall, in its original condition.
The ‘Mayday, Mayday’ water safety resource has been written and developed by Deborah Meadows and Janet Parker, Chair of Guiding Delivery - Girlguiding South West England, in collaboration with the specialist regional RNLI Water Safety Teams.
Notes to Editor
- The official launch of 'Mayday, Mayday' with North East Girlguiding is taking place at the RNLI Bridlington Lifeboat Station on Wednesday 1 May between 4-6pm. If you are interested in attending for media interviews, filming and pictures opportunities please contact Lauren on the details below.
- To find out more about the RNLI’s bicentenary, visit www.RNLI.org/200.
- To find out more about Girlguiding North East England, visit: https://girlguidingnortheast.org.uk/.RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Lauren Wright, RNLI Media Engagement - Placement on 07890 402106 or contact 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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