International Women's Day - the female volunteers at Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI
The theme of this year's International Women’s Day celebrated on the 8 March is Give to Gain. Volunteering for a lifesaving charity is certainly one way people are able Give to Gain through their actions.
Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI has much to celebrate with a strong group of women supporting the valuable work of the volunteer lifesaving operation.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has a long history of pioneering women from Grace Darling the daughter of a lighthouse keeper who was the first women to be awarded the RNLI medal for her act of bravery, when she went to the aid of people in a shipwreck.
The Burnham-on-Crouch lifeboat station has many female volunteers in all areas of the operation, shore crew, boat crew, operational management, launch authority and fundraising along with community engagement. Many of whom have been inspired to join the crew by seeing other females volunteering.
Lizzie Brown qualified as the first female Atlantic helm during her time as a volunteer at the Burnham-on-Crouch lifeboat station, of which only two women in the history of the station have made this achievement.
Alison Kirkham joined as boat crew shortly after her 17th birthday in 1999 being the youngest RNLI crew member at the time nationwide. Alison spent many wonderful years on the water, training and perfecting her boat handling and rope skills, standing down from service only a couple of years ago. When Alison joined the crew, she was given special permission from St Peters school to enable her to carry her pager and down books as soon as it sounded to attend the taskings.
In 2024 Annie Hemmingway celebrated her 30 year service with a wonderful celebration and medal presentation where crew past and present came together in her honour.
The RNLI is constantly moving forward and making inclusion a main priority. As recently as 2023 the RNLI in collaboration with Typhoon International introduced its first specifically designed female drysuit. These drysuits offer a more practical and bespoke fit for female crew members.
When people Give to Gain great things can happen, training and taskings are serious but fun and laughter and inclusion brings together the community of the Burnham-on-Crouch lifeboat station. It helps all involved to fuel confidence and gaining lifelong skills.
The RNLI encourages women to be powerful to bring their whole selves to the time spent volunteering, every single person has something to offer, whether it be a differing opinion, clarity, the voice of calm in a traumatic situation or fun and laughter during socials and training.
The lifeboat station is always looking for volunteers to strengthen its shore, boat and fundraising roles if you feel this year is yours to Give to Gain, come and see the variety of roles on offer at the Lifeboat Station.
Notes to Editor:
During 2026 the RNLI celebrates 60 years of operation on the River Crouch.
The RNLI has a purpose-built building situated in the Burnham on Crouch Marina.
We currently have seven members of female crew at the station.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Nicola Fletcher, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
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.