Grandson of Cullercoats RNLI volunteer gives thumbs up to digital rescue game
The RNLI is launching a new digital children’s game to coincide with the charity’s 200th anniversary celebrations on 4 March. The game has been trialled by Luke Mather who is the grandson of Cullercoats RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Kay Heslop and nephew of crew member and helm Anna Heslop.
It is also Luke’s eighth birthday on 4 March, which made him the ideal candidate for trialling the game ahead of it going live.
Storm Force is the RNLI’s club for under 11s, aimed at introducing children to the world of lifeguards and lifeboats, and the new Storm Force Rescue game has been developed to raise awareness of water safety.
Luke said: 'I think it will be good for other people to learn about staying safe at the seaside, maybe if they’re coming here on holiday. I tested the game for the RNLI. I liked how I could choose a character that looked like me who completes rescue missions as a lifeguard. I will definitely be downloading it on my birthday!'
Mum, Kayleigh, said: 'When the family realised that Luke shared his birthday with the RNLI, his Granny Kay enrolled him in Storm Force at birth! Along with his sister, Izzy, he receives a magazine every few months and a badge for each year of membership. The Storm Force Rescue game is a great way to introduce them to the hazards of the water, such as rip currents, using a technology-based platform that children are more familiar with nowadays.'
Luke’s Storm Force membership has certainly inspired him as a future crew member at Cullercoats RNLI and Luke looks forward to joining the boat crew and learning to drive the tractor that launches the lifeboat, just like his Aunty Anna.
Storm Force Rescue goes live for download from app stores on phone or tablet from Monday 4 March. Various events are being planned by lifeboat stations around the country to acknowledge and celebrate 200 years of the RNLI.
Storm Force membership can be purchased on the RNLI's website: Become an RNLI Storm Force Member Today
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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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