RNLI 200 Voices

Hannah Williamson describes the stomach-churning moment when she realised husband Ben had been taken by a rip Beautiful August sunshine, a BBQ, and a bit of bodyboarding – the recipe for a perfect day at the beach. But when Hannah Williamson suddenly loses sight of husband Ben while he’s out on his board at Perran Sands, panic sets in. With no phone signal to call the Coastguard, Hannah starts to think Ben won’t be coming back. Know the risks and find out what to do if you're caught in a rip current. 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

Bafta-winning actor Joanna Scanlan on the cast-members she has the greatest admiration for Actress and open-water swimmer Joanna Scanlan on pushing herself out of her depth, why she included an RNLI rescue in an episode of the TV comedy Puppy Love, and why one day she needed the RNLI for real. Hear from another RNLI ambassador who's starred onscreen, Ruth Jones (Episode 36). 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI’s Ollie Wrynne-Simpson 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 1824, Sir William Hillary founded what is now the RNLI. Coxswain Edd Christian takes us back to where it all started On 10 October, 1822, HMS Vigilant foundered on St Mary’s Rock in Douglas Bay on the Isle of Man. A bystander urged others to help him row out to rescue those in peril. That man was Sir William Hillary. And, as a result of this and further shipwrecks, he went on to form what we know today as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. One of Douglas RNLI’s current coxswains explains why, two centuries on, Sir William would be proud. Discover more about the RNLI's foundation and development through our first 100 years: Veronica Vondy (Episode 166) and Hayley Whiting (Episode 195) talk about founder Sir William Hillary, while Dr Sam Jones (Episode 24) explores a turning point in the RNLI's fortunes in 1852. 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

How do you describe what it’s like to encounter waves the size of buildings? How do you convey what that moment of rescue feels like? How do you tell the story of 200 years of lifesaving? With so many examples of courage, selflessness, heart-breaking loss and heartfelt relief in its long history, the RNLI has left it to those who know best. In 200 Voices you’ll hear from people whose lives have been touched by the charity. Not just crew members and casualties, but fundraisers, lifeguards, shore crew and shop workers, as well as those with more surprising connections. It takes many hands to save a life. And in each episode, you'll hear a unique perspective. In the RNLI's bicentenary year, 200 Voices will transport you back in time, far out to sea and into the future.