Next year will mark the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary, two centuries of saving lives all along the coast of the British Isles. There are many fishermen who have had to go home to their families because of the RNLI after having trouble at sea over the years and they are still there all the time. I always enjoy talking to our local RNLI Lifeboat Station volunteers around their safety roadshows when they are at the Angling Center Open Weekends or the Scottish Boat Show.
Along with the safety advice in these shows, they have historical documents and personal stories that show the role that charity has played in our communities. This August to celebrate their bicentennial, the RNLI launched their “200 Voices Podcast” ahead of the RNLI anniversary. Two hundred voices tell the true stories of how their lives were touched by charity – and how they played a part.
“Hear a new voice every day, for 200 days, from across the UK and Ireland – and beyond. In stories of kindness, bravery and pride, everyone shares how the charity’s lifesavers are making a difference – and continue to help save lives today.”
Discover how the RNLI – the lifesaving charity at sea – has been saving and changing lives since 1824. Short episodes feature brave lifesavers, grateful survivors, selfless volunteers, kind supporters, fascinating experts and more, all sharing their own special RNLI stories.”
The series so far touches on everything from the institution’s launch in the early 1800s by Sir William Hillary to stories of dramatic rescues and families reunited with notables such as Jim Moir (aka Bob Mortimer’s cohort Vic Reeves ) Art fundraisers to help fund the charity he sees every day saving lives at sea. These 10-15 minute episodes are a wonderfully heartwarming look at a charity that goes on every day of the week.
Join the team
The charity’s lifeboats, stations and the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew. Volunteers are the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people. Hundreds of ordinary people giving up little or no time to support the RNLI and make a life-saving difference of their own.
Lifeboat to shore crew or charity fundraisers, if you are interested in being a volunteer visit https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/how-you-can-volunteer
Be Safe At Sea
Between 2011 and 2015, 50 anglers died while fishing around the UK coast. In 2016 alone, RNLI lifeboat volunteers rescued 923 anglers from vessels. Figures like this reinforce the value at RNLI Safety Roadshows, come along and visit the team at the Glasgow Angling Center Open Weekend 22n.d-24th
September. Bring your Life Jacket in for a checkup at their clinic and get some expert advice for water safety.
