RNLI 200 Voices

Five years before the Titanic, the biggest rescue in RNLI history resulted in 456 lives saved. A descendant of one survivor plunges us into towering seas Galen Bartholomew sometimes worries his family will get bored of his research into their ancestors. But when he began to investigate a long-forgotten family story of shipwreck, he made a fascinating discovery. Galen’s great-aunt and great-grandmother had been survivors of the Suevic, a White Star Line steamship wrecked off Lizard Point in 1907. From newspaper stories to official reports, Galen reveals the moving new details he is still uncovering – and shares his growing admiration for the RNLI volunteers, steamship crew and Cornish folk who ensured every single life was saved. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Why are black children three times more likely to drown than white children? Discover how a personal realisation about protecting family sparked a movement to save countless lives. A drowning tragedy on Christmas Eve 2019 made Danielle Obe realise she had to educate her own family about the risks. Black and Asian communities have largely been excluded from swimming sports – and even the basic survival skills to stay safe around water. Now the Black Swimming Association (BSA) is changing the narrative. From myth-busting research to Blue Hour safety sessions, you’ll hear how the RNLI and BSA’s allyship ensures everyone is involved in drowning prevention. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Artist Maria Barbashina on the different strokes it takes to run a lifeboat station. Despite diverse backgrounds, it’s all about the mission When Maria Barbashina settled in Lyme Regis, painting portraits of the town’s RNLI volunteers was her first introduction to the lifeboat community. Maria talks about her creative approach, and the stories that reveal themselves when subjects sit for a portrait. The resulting exhibition showed the whole supporting cast that stands behind each rescue. But it wasn’t until Maria volunteered as crew that she really got to know the team, by saving lives alongside them. In this episode she reflects on the responsibility of the role, the rewards of feeling ‘useful’ – and why pagers make the world a better place. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The true story of the Second World War veteran who went absent without leave to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day Bernard Jordan survived not only Dunkirk, but D-Day too. So when, aged 89, and living in a care home in Hove, he was told that he couldn’t attend the event marking the 70-year anniversary of D-Day in France, Bernard had other ideas. The Great Escaper, a new film starring Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson, is the moving story of a Second World War veteran’s last hurrah. The writer of the film, William Ivory, shares his thoughts on the events that inspired the movie. And offers his view on why Bernard and his wife, Rene, left their entire estate to the RNLI. Watch the trailer for The Great Escaper here or visit thegreatescaper.film Learn more about the RNLI's extraordinary efforts in the Second World War in a special episode of Saving Lives at Sea, presented by Dermot O'Leary. Search Series 9: Episode 1 on BBC iPlayer or visit https://tinyurl.com/4cryn54u 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The three ‘T’s: The Anstruther RNLI volunteer on why saving lives is about teamwork, training and trust In the early hours of 1 August 2012, RNLI crew member Barry Gourlay’s pager went off, alerting him to two men whose boat was being battered against rocks in rough seas. In this dramatic rescue, for which Barry was awarded a Bronze Medal for Gallantry, teamwork was vital. Hear how the crew worked together in wild weather and pitch darkness – and why mutual trust is key. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

When the sea swells, Mary McAleese’s admiration for lifeboat volunteers swells with it. Ireland’s former president talks duvet days and bucket lists If Mary McAleese could have her life over again, being part of the RNLI would be on her wish list. Discover why her visits to RNLI lifeboat stations are entrenched in her mind. And hear about Mary’s respect for the courageous crews who go up against the worst the weather can throw at them. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

For most of the RNLI’s existence, a member of the Cocking family has been in it – sometimes paying the ultimate sacrifice The RNLI has been at the heart of the Cocking family for over 150 years. In 1939, tragedy stuck the family when former St Ives Coxswain Thomas Cocking’s great-grandfather perished at sea, along with the great-grandfather’s son and son-in-law. Despite this, the family’s commitment to the RNLI continued. In this archive recording, Thomas talks about the strong RNLI family tradition that has saved countless lives. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The Aran Islands doctor on the challenges of saving lives in a remote place Retired GP Dr Marion Broderick has been the RNLI’s Lifeboat Medical Officer on Inis Mór for 40 years. Marion opens up about the dangers of transferring patients from the islands to the mainland in atrocious conditions, and highlights the lifeboat crew’s pivotal role in helping to guarantee patients’ safety come what may, night and day. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Team GB’s first black female Olympian swimmer on the sport that can save your life 95% of black adults and 80% of black children in England don’t swim. The co-founder of The Black Swimming Association, Alice Dearing, is on a mission to change that. Hear why seeing people take their first few steps into water, often fighting deep-seated fears, sometimes moves her to tears. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI’s Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Meet the man who has been fundraising for the RNLI for 62 years. At 80, why does he still do it? When a London Lifeboat Week fundraiser knocked on the door of the Crowden family home, David Crowden’s mother volunteered her 17-year-old son’s services before David could say a word. Hear why it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to fundraising for the RNLI – and why he’ll never stop. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Chiswick volunteer and Antarctic explorer Ella Du Breuil on becoming the youngest female helm at just 18 Since she was knee-high to a bee, Ella Du Breuil was always interested in boats. From a young age, Ella was set on joining the RNLI, and by 18 had become the charity’s youngest female helm. Her sense of adventure didn’t stop there however, and Ella went on to become the Boating Officer for the British Antarctic Survey. Hear her reflections on a groundbreaking – and icebreaking – career. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Whether he’s co-ordinating Hollywood chase sequences or launching a lifeboat, Duncan Barbour is no stranger to action Behind every dependable lifeboat crew there’s a dependable shore crew. A launch couldn’t happen without total teamwork, says North Berwick RNLI shore crew member, Duncan Barbour. Hear how Duncan’s precision-driving work on films such as Braveheart, Goldeneye and Gladiator has put him in good stead when it comes to driving North Berwick’s launch vehicle. Whether he’s driving a tracking vehicle on location or the station’s tractor on the beach, Duncan is used to expecting the unexpected. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The lifeguard saved by lifeguarding – a Bangladesh lifesaver reveals the impact of the RNLI’s work in Cox’s Bazar With more than 120km of unbroken sands, Cox’s Bazar is home to the world’s longest beach. Water is everywhere in Bangladesh, and every day, 40 children drown there. RNLI-trained lifeguard Salim Mohammad talks about what inspired him to help save lives in a country where children are frequently only steps away from danger. And he explains why lifeguarding has made a positive impact not only on the locals and tourists of Cox’s Bazar, but also on himself and his family. In 2012, CIPRB teamed up with the RNLI to start Bangladesh’s first lifeguard service – the SeaSafe project – so people like Salim can help keep locals and visitors to Cox’s Bazar Beach safe. Watch this video to discover how the project has grown and the lifesaving impact it’s making. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Peterhead’s Sarah Patterson on being crowned Miss European and the reactions she gets when people discover she’s a lifeboat crew member Sarah Patterson isn’t your average beauty queen. The youngest member of Peterhead’s lifeboat crew won the title of Miss European Global in 2022. Hear how the competition involved Sarah stepping out of her comfort zone and how she hopes her story will inspire other young women thinking about joining the RNLI to go for it. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

RNLI crew member Olivia Davison on mucking in, coming out and enjoying being part of one crew When Olivia Davison moved to Brighton to train as a paramedic, her life changed in more ways than one. Olivia shares her personal journey of being in Brighton, where not only did she join the RNLI lifeboat crew but felt she could accept and embrace her sexuality. Now a lifeboat crew member in Kessock, hear how Olivia’s pride in joining the RNLI grew hand in hand with her pride in her sexuality, helping to develop her confidence and character. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

After her son drowned, Andrea Corrie worked with the RNLI to help bereaved families. Her two books offer comfort to anyone living with loss In July 2005, 19-year-old James Clark drowned after spending an evening in Kingston with friends. His mother Andrea shares her deeply moving story of how losing James prompted her tireless work to campaign for water safety and drowning prevention. Finding solace in writing, hear how Andrea wrote two books about dealing with grief to support bereaved people through the darkest of times and help them to one day find light. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Each boat in the RNLI’s Historic Lifeboat Collection has a tale to tell. We meet the man who ensures their stories aren’t lost to time or tide The Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent holds the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats, which in decades past have saved hundreds of lives. With a lifelong interest in the RNLI, Paul Severns shares his passion for helping to protect and preserve the lifeboats, so that they can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones gives a shout-out to RNLI stations at Barry, Porthcawl and Lochinver Welsh actress and writer Ruth Jones grew up with the sea on her doorstep. Raised in Porthcawl, where her family still live, Ruth shares her personal connection with the RNLI and its place at the heart of the coastal communities she knows and loves. It’s a connection she feels deeply – members of her family are crew and when her father died, the RNLI lowered their flag to half-mast. Hear how Ruth showed her support for the RNLI by putting on a special fundraising event, with a surprise in store. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by RNLI’s Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

There’s more than one way to save a life – RNLI Shop manager Lise Vittrup on why she’s giving back Lise Vittrup grew up with a healthy respect for the sea. Yet in 1995, when she was a student in Brighton, she was taken off guard by powerful waves. Swept out to sea and unable to swim to shore, she clung to the struts of Brighton pier, smashed by unrelenting waves. Hear how Lise’s rescue unfolded – and how her gratitude to the crew led her to join the RNLI’s lifesaving family. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

When Jeff Everett’s diving buddy signalled that something was wrong, their dive on a WW1 shipwreck quickly became an emergency They were 29m underwater, diving the wreck of the St Dunstan, when Jeff Everett’s diving buddy Robin suddenly indicated that he had a problem and needed to ascend. To avoid the ‘bends’, which can be fatal, this must be done slowly. Connected by a ‘buddy line’ to prevent either diver from getting lost, they started their ascent, but it was dangerously fast. Jeff recalls the terrifying realisation that his buddy’s life was in danger. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

When Janet Madron attended the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, she wore something special – the medal awarded to her husband Stephen, who was lost in the 1981 Penlee tragedy Stephen Madron would do anything for anyone. He even came to Janet’s rescue on the bus to the fair. Years later, she listened as the Coastguard called into the silence for the lost Solomon Browne and her crew. Hear Janet’s deeply personal account of the Penlee lifeboat disaster – a story of one village’s lost sons, and the hope their loved ones rediscovered. Janet shares why she still loves being an RNLI volunteer and talks about the honour she felt paying the RNLI’s final farewell to our Royal Patron. Stephen was one of eight courageous men who were lost in the Penlee tragedy. To pay tribute to them, folk singer Seth Lakeman wrote a special song, Solomon Browne. Listen to Seth's podcast episode to hear the song and how he came to write it. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI’s Amy Caldwell Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Hear how courage, selflessness and sheer determination helped Sennen Cove lifesavers rescue the crew of the Tungufoss Having been born and bred in Sennen Cove, Maurice had always had a close affinity with the lifeboat community. After completing his National Service, he became a member of the Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat crew himself. In this archive recording, Maurice - who sadly passed away in 2022 - recalls the time he helped rescue the crew of Icelandic ship Tungufoss, the reason he was awarded a Silver Medal for Gallantry. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

‘I never dreamed someone like me would be on the crew’ – Tower volunteer Omar Javed on what being an RNLI crew member means to him Aged just 16, Omar was out on the water with the Sea Scouts when their boat suddenly capsized. Despite the shock, Omar didn’t hesitate to help save the lives of two of his peers. Afterwards, Skegness RNLI Coxswain Paul Martin visited Omar in hospital. He told him that when he was old enough, there was a place on their lifeboat crew waiting for him. It was just the start of Omar’s inspirational RNLI journey. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

As the charity’s first female coxswain, Di Bush made RNLI history. She’s also made a vow to encourage more women to follow in her footsteps Having spent much of her time at sea, Di Bush knows that every day on the water is different. It’s an environment that changes all the time. But change isn’t something that fazes Di, having herself made an incredible change in the RNLI’s history by becoming our charity’s first full-time female coxswain. As coxswain, Di leads her crew at Harwich Lifeboat Station through difficult rescues. Hear as she recalls a particularly memorable one of an oyster fisherman in desperate need of help on a windy winter’s day. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

After Portrush lifeguard Annie Jagoe helped rescue a man with spinal injuries, he was told he would never walk again. But 1 year on, the story took a twist When Portrush lifeguard Annie Jagoe heard the words: ‘Unconscious body in the water’ over her VHF radio, she scanned Benone Beach. Hearing that the casualty couldn’t move, Annie grabbed her spinal board. Matthew, the surfer that Annie and her fellow lifeguards aided that day, was told that he’d never walk again. Yet, on the anniversary of the accident 1 year later, Matthew made a return to the water. And Annie was at his side. Interested in being a frontline lifesaver? Like Annie, you can help keep beachgoers safe. Find out how to become a lifeguard and learn more about what’s involved in this unique and rewarding job. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

RNLI Heritage Officer Dr Joanna Bellis on fundraising chickens, and her favourite object in the RNLI Museum collection When you have 200 years’ worth of stories scattered around an organisation as far-flung as the RNLI, sometimes some detective work is in order. RNLI Heritage Officer Joanna Bellis reveals how the tales behind some her favourite artefacts in the RNLI’s collection came to light. Hear why donors couldn’t say no to a fundraising chicken. And learn why a certain silver tankard proved to be a bit of a Russian doll – inside it, lay the secret to a dramatic rescue straight from a Boys Own adventure. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Isobel Noctor Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

When he’s not on stage with Ed Sheeran, he’s on duty at Chiswick RNLI. Mark Pusey on the unlikely similarities between both When Mark Pusey discovered there were RNLI lifeboats on the River Thames, suddenly a lifelong dream of volunteering on the crew could become a reality – without leaving London. Session drummer Mark takes a break from Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics tour to talk about the realities of lifesaving on a powerful tidal river. From the buzz of Boat Race day to the camaraderie of crewmates, hear how his professional and volunteer roles put each one into perspective. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The day the RNLI rescued pirates – former Radio Caroline DJ Nick Richards reflects on the event that inspired a lifelong affinity with the charity The Mi Amigo was a rusting hulk. She had a seized engine, no ship’s wheel, and somebody had even made off with the compass. Yet, in the 1960s, this was a boat with legions of fans, including the DJs who called the Mi Amigo home. Nick Richards takes us back to the days of Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station that broadened musical horizons from a ship anchored off the Essex coast. Nick, one of four DJs rescued when the Mi Amigo began to sink, recalls the day Sheerness RNLI came to their aid. But there was a fifth crew member onboard that day – what happened to the ship’s canary, Wilson? 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

In 1915, seas carried extra danger. After a steamer is sunk by a submarine, RNLI lifeboat Lady Rothes is launched. Fraserburgh Sea Cadets pick up the story The champagne had barely dried on Fraserburgh’s newly named lifeboat, when her crew were called into the fray of a First World War rescue. The Lady Rothes had just been donated to the town by the Countess of Rothes’ father, grateful that his daughter had survived the 1912 Titanic disaster. On 8 August 1915, the lifeboat’s volunteer crew launched after a German submarine was sighted 15 miles offshore. Fraserburgh’s first motor lifeboat was about to claim its first rescue. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Narration courtesy of the Fraserburgh Sea Cadets Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Wild weather and forbidding seas aren’t the only challenges the RNLI has faced – Dr Sam Jones reveals how the charity we know today came about As with so many good beginnings, it all started in a pub. On 4 March, 1824, Sir William Hillary met Thomas Wilson in Bishopsgate’s London Tavern to establish the National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck. But after an auspicious start, the charity we know today as the RNLI hit choppier waters. RNLI Tobermory’s Dr Sam Jones – who very sadly passed away in our anniversary year – reveals the organisation’s evolution. And explains why, 200 years from now, future historians will recognise the same volunteer ethos at the Institution's heart. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The RNLI’s Senior Operations Manager explains how a lifeboat crew comes together How were lifeboat crews alerted in the days before pagers? What if a crew member’s pager goes off during Christmas dinner? Or a wedding? And why is a shout called a shout? The RNLI’s Paul Fisher reveals the surprising ways in which volunteer crews have been called into action to save those they’ve never met. The methods may have changed, but the lifesavers' commitment and selflessness remain. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Darren Crew Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

She flies a hovercraft for the RNLI. And flies the flag for female volunteers. Meet Leesa Espley In 2007, RNLI Hunstanton’s Leesa Espley became the first woman to gain a pilot’s licence to fly an RNLI hovercraft. But she had to do it the hard way – needing laser eye-surgery before she could take flight. Hear how times have changed for RNLI crews, and about what it’s like to pilot something with no brakes. Learn more about the hovercraft. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Visual artist Sophie Dixon on a Northumberland heroine and the film she inspired On 7 September, 1838, a lighthouse-keeper’s daughter – Grace Darling – spotted shipwrecked survivors clinging to the rocks of the Farne Islands, Northumberland. After Grace and her father defied a raging storm to rescue them in an open rowing boat, Grace became a national – and international – celebrity, and was awarded the RNLI’s Silver Medal for Gallantry. Visual artist Sophie Dixon talks to 200 Voices about how she used a game engine and 3D modelling to give a 185-year-old story a modern telling. Her short film, Grace, explores how, for the lady of the lighthouse, the blinding glare of media attention became too much. Watch the film here or go to https://www.grace-darling.film/ You can learn more about Grace Darling at the RNLI Grace Darling Museum Read more about Sophie’s work here or visit https://sophie-dixon.com/Info 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

After saving a surfer at Perranporth, Sophie became the first female RNLI lifeguard to be awarded a medal. She wishes her Dad had lived to see it Growing up in Cornwall, keeping vigil over those in the sea was a way of life for Sophie Grant-Crookston. When a relentless swell trapped a surfer in one of Perranporth’s notoriously dangerous Bat Caves, her years of training paid off. Sophie and her fellow lifeguards had to time their rescue perfectly to get everyone out alive. Listen to her memories of the 2006 rescue, the thoughts she experienced as the adrenaline surged – and hear about the bittersweet emotions on the medal that links her to the RNLI family forever. You may also enjoy Aileen Jones’s podcast episode, where she talks about becoming the charity’s first female crew member to be awarded an RNLI Gallantry Medal. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Actor and sailor Griff Rhys Jones on why he feels safer on stage than on water. The sea doesn’t stick to a script, he warns Griff Rhys Jones is no stranger to water. Hear why to this day he still gets a nagging feeling about the sea – a place he regards at times as a place of frenzy. His appreciation for the RNLI goes all the way back to his early trips to West Mersea, where his father once tied a man upside down to a ladder – Griff explains why it was a kinder act than it sounds! And says that, although many things have moved on in 200 years, the RNLI ethos remains largely unchanged. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Stories from the veteran Largs lifeboatman who was instrumental in saving 296 lives The 49er – wearing different hats, Ronnie Copeland served Largs RNLI for almost half a century. He still can’t walk away, visiting local primary schools to teach water safety. Discover how the RNLI has come on leaps and bounds. And hear about an unusual rescue. From Minnie Mouse to Spider-Man and Winnie the Pooh, watch this video see some of our most unusual rescues. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Legendary RNLI fundraiser Mary Taylor on the pull of the lifeboat station The smell of the boathouse; the roar of the engine – for the late Mary Taylor, otherwise known as Lifeboat Mary, Padstow Lifeboat Station had a very special appeal. For one thing, her family’s RNLI connections reach all the way back to 1883. To Mary, the lifeboat was more than a boat – it was a friend. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Who doesn’t love a singalong? Meet the RNLI Water Safety Officer whose talks enthral adults as much as kids Surprisingly, around 50% of those who get into trouble in the water never intend to get wet in the first place. So education is key. Hunstanton RNLI’s Lifeboat Visits Officer Kate Craven reveals how the Hunstanton volunteers draw in a crowd, why you can’t beat a catchy song, and why, after the children have left the station, some lifesavers are left with a tear in their eye. Watch the Seaside Safety Song video. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

We shall save them on the beaches: RNLI Archivist John Ray on the Ramsgate crew who braved bombs and bullets at Dunkirk The sea is daunting enough. But perhaps never more so than in May, 1940, when two RNLI lifeboat crews launched into the Second World War. Joining an armada of 700 ‘little ships’, the volunteers embarked on Operation Dynamo. Evading enemy submarines, bursting shells and raging fires, the two crews ferried 3,400 troops to safety. When people talk of Dunkirk spirit, they are talking about the kind of spirit showed by the lifeboat crews of Ramsgate and Margate. Learn more about the RNLI's extraordinary efforts in the Second World War in a special episode of Saving Lives at Sea, presented by Dermot O'Leary. Search Series 9: Episode 1 on BBC iPlayer or visit https://tinyurl.com/4cryn54u 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Best-selling author Ann Cleeves on the real-life drama that earned the RNLI a place close to her heart It’s no coincidence that Ilfracombe RNLI makes an appearance in Ann Cleeves’s latest book, The Raging Storm (published in August 2023). Learn why Ann will always be grateful to the RNLI. And hear about the book, set in a remote fishing village in a part of Devon where both the lead character – Matthew Venn – and Ann herself grew up. To find out more about The Raging Storm visit anncleeves.com 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Isobel Noctor Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

It was the race that changed yacht racing. RNLI Baltimore’s Kieran Cotter on the Fastnet tragedy of 1979 Former Baltimore RNLI Coxswain Kieran Cotter joined the RNLI when he was just 19, and would go on to receive an RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry. In August 1979, Kieran and his fellow crew members were called to aid sailors competing in the Fastnet Race, in which 5 yachts sank and 15 lives were lost. The shout to the yacht Regardless was just the start of what would be a 22-hour mission. For 200 years, RNLI volunteers have been ready to launch into raging seas, not knowing when – or if – they will return home. For more legendary rescues, listen to Graham Drinkwater's memories of the Nafsiporos recue (Episode 109) and the late Michael Scales on the Bonita rescue (Episode 119). 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

The RNLI is what happens to you when you’re making other plans – an ex-US-Coast-Guarder reveals why he dropped anchor in the UK After 24 years with the United States Coast Guard, JoJo Mains gave up chasing drug-smugglers and chased a new adventure instead – joining the RNLI. Castles, he expected. Self-righting boats and volunteers, he didn’t. Find out why the RNLI holds a little magical place in his life. Another RNLI staff member has crossed the Atlantic – but in the opposite direction, and under rather different steam. Find out how with Dave Whiddon in Episode 57. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

After being given days to live, Timothy Spall vowed that if he ever recovered he would get a boat – he did both. Hear about his close encounters Actor Timothy Spall isn’t short of maritime material. He once almost tethered his boat to a WW2 wreck housing 1,400 tonnes of high explosives. And once navigated what Admiral Nelson regarded as the most dangerous stretch of water he’d ever encountered. Whatever the sea throws at them, Tim and his wife – Shane – have a tried-and-tested way of keeping their cool. What’s their secret? An actor's life or a sailor's life? Hear more yarns from another seagoing screen star, Griff Rhys Jones (Episode 19). 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI’s Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Irish priest – and Courtown crew member – Father Tom Dalton on his role when rescue turns to recovery RNLI lifesavers are an eclectic bunch with a common goal – saving lives. But how do they feel when a life can’t be saved? Wexford priest and Courtown volunteer Father Tom shares his perspective on the importance of listening and closure. And says there’s always a place for what he calls ‘the medicine for all things’. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

After losing her sister Dara at sea, Niamh Fitzpatrick reveals what the RNLI means to her On 14 March, 2017, Irish Coast Guard helicopter 116 crashed into the sea off County Mayo, resulting in the loss of four crew members. One of those lost was Niamh Fitzpatrick’s sister, Dara. The RNLI recovered Dara’s body. Niamh explains how the RNLI helped her through the loss of her sister, and why the family’s bond with Achill Island RNLI, in particular, is so close. Niamh later drew on her experience to write the book: Tell Me the Truth About Loss: A Psychologist’s Personal Story of Loss, Grief and Finding Hope. To learn more about Niamh's work, visit niamhfitzpatrickpsychology.ie You'll find more brave conversations about living with loss in 200 Voices. Michele Jagger (Episode 114) shares how Launch a Memory has helped her to remember her daughter. And, like Niamh, Andrea Corrie (Episode 38) has found solace in writing. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Chris Beardshaw on the inspiration behind his medal-winning RNLI Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show To help him create the RNLI’s Chelsea Flower Show Garden, Chris Beardshaw visited Portishead RNLI as well as the charity’s all-weather lifeboat centre. Hear him talk about what inspired him, and get an insight into why he thinks the charity provides ‘the gold standard of rescue services’. Chris Beardshaw's garden design was the perfect tribute to our Georgian roots, while reflecting the forward-thinking organisation we are today. Hear from another designer who faced a creative challenge – sculptor Sam Holland (Episode 89) on designing the RNLI Memorial. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI’s Eleanor Driscoll Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Volunteer Helm Aileen Jones recalls the day she and her crew saved two lives, which resulted in an RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry RNLI Porthcawl’s first female Helm – Aileen Jones – takes us back to 24 August 2004, and the day she helped to save two lives. The rescue resulted in Aileen becoming the charity’s first female crew member to be awarded an RNLI Gallantry Medal. What advice would she give to aspiring lifesavers? 200 Voices is home to a range of inspiring stories from women who have led the way. You can hear about other medal-winning firsts by Victorian heroine Grace Darling (Episode 99) and former lifeguard Sophie Grant-Crookston (Episode 20). And Di Bush (Episode 30) and Anna Heslop (Episode 175) talk about the changes seen at stations around our coasts. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

There’s only one thing worse than seeing your children in trouble in the water – not seeing them. A mum recalls the day her daughters were swept out at Barmouth We all hope we’ll never have to make a 999 call. But in August 2022, Milena – mother of 10-year-old Elsie and 12-year-old Mabel – had to do just that. Playing in the surf one minute, the girls were suddenly swept out to sea. As the two sisters drifted apart, Elsie instructed Mabel to float like a starfish. Milena explains what happened next. As the Float to Live message spreads, we're hearing from more and more people who've put it to the test. Find out why Finley Hassall (Episode 71) and Ruth Osborne (Episode 185) are both grateful for this lifesaving skill. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Jim Moir, otherwise known as Vic Reeves, on the perils of the sea. And charcoal Best known for his comedy, Jim Moir’s twin passions are actually art and birds, which led to the Sky Arts show Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir. His latest exhibition – ‘Comestibles Sir?’ – runs until 26 August at the Cornwall Contemporary Gallery. He talks to 200 Voices about getting his hands – and face – dirty for the RNLI. Find out more about Jim's latest exhibition at jimmoir.com or visit cornwallcontemporary.com The RNLI has provided inspiration to painters for 200 years and counting. Catch up with RNLI crew members – and artists – Maria Barbashina (Episode 51) and Mark Taylor (Episode 80). Or listen to Kurt Jackson (Episode 58) on the moving reason he’s celebrated the RNLI in his work. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI’s Rory Stamp Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200

Behind the scenes of Saving Lives at Sea: what is it about the RNLI series that keeps us watching? At once heart-warming and heartbreaking, the BBC’s Saving Lives at Sea has had us hooked for eight series. Senior Producer Corinna Gallop shares why she thinks we keep watching and explains how the programme has changed her. Hear why it’s the series she’s most proud of. Series 8 of Saving Lives at Sea is available here and on BBC iPlayer. Several RNLI folk have been involved in bringing our stories to the airwaves. Hear from podcast producer Dan Holland (Episode 181) and TV producer Mali Parry-Jones (Episode 197). 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by Adventurous Audio Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200