Mother and son thank Wells RNLI volunteers who rescued him
RNLI lifeboats launched more than 100 times* during the Christmas period last year.
This year as the charity launches its Christmas appeal, Samantha Ozdemir and her 13-year-old son Kaan returned to Wells lifeboat station to meet with the volunteers who rescued him when he got into difficulty this summer.
They wanted to thank the volunteer lifeboat crew as the RNLI heads into the festive season.
During the first day of the school summer holidays, Samantha visited the beach at Wells with her son Kaan and a group of his friends. As the weather was very hot, the friends decided to cool off with a swim.
Samantha explained: ‘They were enjoying the sea and going along with the flow of the water, left to right towards the lifeboat station and floating back down.
‘The tide was coming up so I thought they were going to get closer, but it hadn’t got over the lip of the beach yet. When Kaan couldn’t put his feet down he knew he was in difficulty and out of his depth. He headed onto the sandbank for safety but that quickly disappeared.
‘Thankfully I was able to reassure him and say “Stay there, someone from the lifeboat is coming to get you”. The sandbank was almost gone by the time the RNLI got there. What really hit home was that even if you know the area, you can still get into difficulty owing to the power and unpredictability of the sea.
‘Thank goodness that the RNLI volunteers were able to respond so swiftly and rescue Kaan. Without them it could have escalated into a more serious situation.
‘As we head towards Christmas when the volunteers could be called away from their own families, I felt that it was important to visit the lifeboat station to say a heartfelt “thank you” on behalf of my own family.’
Kaan added: ‘I can still remember how quickly the sandbank began disappearing and the relief when the RNLI lifeboat reached me.
‘I know that the volunteer crew at Wells along with the charity’s other lifeboat stations will be on call during the festive season and ready to drop whatever they are doing to respond.
‘Anyone can get into difficulty at any time of the year from a bright summer’s day just like me or even Christmas day. It will mean a lot to me and hopefully to the crew to be able to pop in and thank them.’
Mandy Humphreys, RNLI volunteer Water Safety Adviser at Wells RNLI, said: ‘It was great to meet Kaan and his mum again. Anyone can get into difficulty in the water and we’re so pleased that we were able to get Kaan to safety and reunite him with his family.
‘Even at this time of year, unfortunately people can still get into trouble in the water. To avoid being cut off by the tide in the area, please make sure that you are back to the main part of the beach (dry sand or land) at least four hours before Wells Bar high tide time.’
Mandy added: ‘The volunteer lifeboat crews couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public which fund the kit, training and equipment we need to save others and to get home safely.’
Chris Hardy, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Wells RNLI, said: ‘We are extremely grateful to Kaan and his mum, Sam, for taking the time to come back and thank our crews for rescuing him. It means a great deal to see someone so young showing such interest in our lifesaving work, who knows, Kaan may even be a future crew member one day.
'We simply couldn’t continue to save lives like Kaan’s without the ongoing support and generosity of our community. On behalf of everyone at Wells RNLI, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.’
Whatever the winter weather throws at them, RNLI crews are prepared to leave their own festive celebrations with friends and family in their mission to save every one.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, please visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 December – 1 January inclusive
Stats for 2024: 119
2023: 120
2022: 102
2021: 107
2020: 108
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Jess Curtis Wells RNLI Lifeboats Press Officer [email protected] 07483488243 Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East: [email protected]
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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.