Deep gratitude: 10 RNLI reunions that’ll warm your heart

These incredible reunion stories are only possible thanks to people like you. Your kindness helps provide RNLI lifesavers with the kit, equipment and training they need to bring people safely home. So, as you read these lovely tales of gratitude, remember that your support helped make them possible.

Howard and Matt

In 1983, 11-year-old Howard Goddard lost his entire family in a devastating helicopter crash. They had hit thick fog as they flew over the sea off the Scilly Isles and crashed down into the water. Only Howard and five other people made it out of the sinking helicopter. Terrified and disorientated, the group huddled together in the cold sea, desperately waiting for help.

Howard had met RNLI Coxswain Matt Lethbridge before on his holidays to the Isle of Scilly. As he was treading water in the cold, dark sea, Howard recalled thinking: 'I just knew Matt would come.' He was right - Matt and the St. Mary's RNLI lifeboat crew were on their way in their Arun class lifeboat. They pulled the survivors onto their lifeboat, saving their lives.

Less than a year later, young Howard contributed to an episode of This is Your Life in honour of Matt, and they were reunited live on air. You can watch the emotional episode on YouTube - Howard's story features from 23:00 minutes.

Howard also visited Matt on the Scilly Isles to thank him again, and to get a better understanding of what happened during the rescue. There, Howard received a very special gift from the coxswain, who was a painter. Matt had painted the Arun class lifeboat in a storm, specially for Howard. More than 40 years on from the tragedy, Howard still has the painting hanging in his house. It's the first thing he sees every day.

You can hear Howard tell his incredible story on our 200 Voices podcast

Geraldine and John

It was a beautiful day in June 2016, and Geraldine was walking her two dogs along Ballyholme promenade. Suddenly, one of her dogs pulled on the lead, unbalancing her. Geraldine fell more than two metres down onto the rocky beach, seriously injuring her back. She was unable to move, in a lot of pain, and in desperate need of help.

The Bangor RNLI crew quickly launched their B class lifeboat to Geraldine. A paramedic was also on the shore, and after assessing Geraldine they decided the best thing to do was to evacuate her using the lifeboat and take her straight to an ambulance at a nearby slipway. Throughout the rescue, Crew Member John Bell stayed by Geraldine’s side, holding her hand and reassuring her. 

Geraldine spent weeks in hospital recovering from her injuries. But as soon as she was able to, she visited the lifeboat station to thank the crew for helping her. She said: ‘As soon as I fell, I knew it was serious, and if it wasn’t for the RNLI, I really don’t think I’d be alive today.’ Geraldine was particularly thankful to ‘her angel’, John. She said to him: ‘Every day since the accident, I’ve wanted to thank you for your kind words and for holding my hand. It made such a difference and kept me calm – something the doctors say prevented the injury being even worse.’

This year, nearly a decade on, Geraldine was reunited with John once again. The pair got together for a catch up and a cup of tea. She is still John’s number one fan – and an RNLI super fan, too.

Lola the Cockapoo and her owners

Cockapoo Lola was out on an afternoon walk with her owners, Laura and Eamonn, when she was spooked by another dog. She ran away, leaving Laura and Eamonn desperately worried. They immediately reached out to their local community. Lola was wearing a distinctive red Christmas jumper at the time, and positive sightings began to pour in. These included on a doorbell camera, at a local ice cream shop, at the beach, at a park, and even darting across a dual carriageway.

Laura and Eamonn chased the sightings all night and day, but without any luck. Over 30 hours passed, and Lola was still missing. They were beginning to lose hope. Then, out on Middle Island, some members of the search party heard barking. With the tide coming in fast and the light fading, they had to leave, but they called the Coastguard.

The Mumbles RNLI lifeboat volunteers launched their D class lifeboat into the darkness. As they neared Mumbles Lighthouse, one of the crew members spotted something in a gully. It was Lola! She was very cold and distressed, but otherwise unharmed. Once in the lifeboat, the crew wrapped her in blankets and took her to Pier Beach for a joyous reunion with Laura and Eamonn.

Watch Mumbles RNLI crew rescue Lola the Cockapoo.

Ted and Jim Parker

This special RNLI reunion took place in May 1940, during the Second World War. The German army had badly damaged the port and the mole (jetty) at Dunkirk. Almost 340,000 British, French and Belgian troops were trapped. Their only escape route was from the beaches, but the shallow water prevented mass evacuations on big ships. 

Britain’s Ministry of Shipping put out an urgent request for all small boats from the Humber to Southampton to report to Dover. They were the only hope for the desperate soldiers. Within 24 hours, an armada of around 700 little ships had formed. Among the brave people who launched to the rescue was 28-year-old Ted (‘Young Ted’) Parker. He was a crew member aboard Margate’s pilot boat Walker II – a small motorboat. 

Facing bombs and machine gun bullets, Young Ted stood on the mole at Dunkirk, looking for soldiers who needed help evacuating. He then spotted some naval sailors wearing hats with the name of their vessel on them – it was the same boat his brother Jim was on. Young Ted asked them if they knew where Jim was, and went to find him. 

‘Well, fancy meeting you here, Jim!’ said Young Ted, slapping his brother on the shoulder. After chatting for a few minutes, Young Ted asked his brother to go with him to Walker II for a drink of water and some food.

Jim and Young Ted stayed aboard Walker II and soon came back across the Channel together, along with 75 other servicepeople. Jim later said to the Daily Mirror: ‘While I was aboard Walker II, the part of the mole on which I had been standing was smashed by German dive bombers.'

When Young Ted arrived home, their mother was overjoyed that Jim had come back safely with him. Shortly afterwards, Jim reported to Margate Police Station to say where he was – otherwise he would've been considered missing in action.

Jim and Young Ted’s father was Ted Parker, who was coxswain at Margate Lifeboat Station. As the brothers made their journey home in Walker II, they unknowingly passed their father onboard Margate RNLI lifeboat. He too was at Dunkirk, along with 10 other Margate crew members.

John Parker, Young Ted’s son, remembers: 'When Uncle Jim got back, he went home to his mum and dad. He got in and said: “Where’s Dad?” His mother replied: “He’s gone to Dunkirk”. He daren’t tell his mother what it was like over there – it would have frightened the life out of her.’

Jim, Young Ted, and their father all made it safely home. After the war, Jim went on to join the lifeboat crew, too.

Dermot and Newhaven RNLI crew

It was Christmas Eve in 2021, and Dermot Ryan was doing his favourite activity – paragliding. The wind conditions at Newhaven cliffs were great, and all was going well. Except for one thing. Mid-air on his second flight of the day, Dermot suddenly realised that the tide was coming in. He needed to land in one of the small coves in front of the cliffs. But they were rapidly disappearing. He called his friend and asked him to alert the Coastguard.

Dermot managed to land in front of the cliffs, packed up as quickly as possible and hurried west toward a larger beach. But the tide cut him off, and he was soon immersed in the cold, crashing water. 

When Newhaven RNLI crew spotted Dermot, they feared they were too late. But as they got closer to him, they were relieved to see he was alive. Navigating the dangerous waves, they pulled him onboard the lifeboat. Dermot was very cold. They wrapped him in blankets and reassured him the whole way to the lifeboat station.

Dermot is incredibly grateful to the lifeboat crew for saving his life. He said: ‘If the lifeboat crew hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here today. That’s the simple truth. They are absolute heroes.’ Dermot later visited the station and personally thanked Crew Members Lewis Arnold and Chris Glasspool for rescuing him.

Hear Chris tell the incredible story on our 200 Voices podcast.

Joanna and Matty

On a bright July morning, friends Joanna and Philippa went for an early swim at Newgale Beach in Pembrokeshire. When Philippa suddenly became out of her depth in the choppy water, she knew they had to get out, but Joanna was no longer by her side. Reaching the beach, Philippa shouted to her husband. They called 999 for the Coastguard, then watched from the beach, desperately waiting for help to arrive.

Little and Broad Haven and St Davids lifeboat crews began the search for Joanna. Meanwhile, RNLI Lifeguard Matty McLeod arrived at the lifeguard base on the beach. He’d been at home getting ready for his shift when his supervisor called to tell him the lifeboats had launched to someone in difficulty. Matty saw the lifeboats were still searching. He grabbed a rescue board and ran full pelt down the beach and into the water. 

Matty couldn’t believe it when he spotted Joanna almost straight away in the choppy water. She was lying face down. He quickly jumped off the board and rolled her over. Joanna was blue and unresponsive. Matty dragged her to shore and began CPR. Soon, the paramedics arrived and took over. Joanna was taken to hospital in an air ambulance.

After spending 10 days in an induced coma, Joanna miraculously regained consciousness. And, over the next few months at a rehabilitation centre, she went on to make a full recovery. Matty was overjoyed when he heard the news.

Two years on, in July 2025, Joanna and Matty met up. Joanna said: ‘It was absolutely wonderful to meet Matty. I feel honoured to have met him. I’m amazed at the RNLI’s level of training to deal with these situations and to do it so well. The charity means the world to me and I’m very happy to support them in any way I can.’ 

Watch Joanna and Matty talk about the rescue.

Linda and Steve

Linda Martin was enjoying a wonderful day out with her family in London. She boarded a tourist boat with her daughter and grandson on the River Thames. But Linda suddenly became very drowsy. She collapsed on the boat.

Tower RNLI lifeboat crew, including Thames Commander Steve King, launched to Linda. Using their casualty care training, they looked after her and took her safely to an ambulance. Linda was taken to hospital and made a full recovery. 

Watch the video to see the wonderful moment where Linda was reunited with Steve – and hear more from them both about the rescue.

Jordan North and Creed the Labrador

Just 9 days before Christmas last year, Capital Breakfast host Jordan North and Creed the Labrador found themselves in difficulty in the River Thames. Jordan had been out on an evening run when he saw the dog, belonging to another member of the public, struggling in the water. Jordan stepped onto a pontoon and into the water, trying to rescue Creed. A passerby saw them both struggling in the cold river and raised the alarm.

Chiswick lifeboat crew were out on a training exercise when the call came in. They quickly went to Jordan and Creed’s aid, reaching them in just 3 minutes. When they arrived, they found Jordan sat on a float lift, holding the Labrador on his lap. The crew helped the pair to safety and warmed them up with blankets.

Jordan and Creed both made a full recovery. In July, live on air at Capital FM, they were happily reunited. Jordan was very grateful for the help of the lifeboat crew, saying on the radio: 'A big thank you and a massive shout out to RNLI Chiswick who came and rescued me. I was getting a bit panicky. I was getting a bit nervy as well because I thought my legs are going to go, I can't hold on much longer! They got there just in time.’

Billie and Andy

In September last year, 11-year-old Billie was at Avon Beach in Dorset with her mum’s friend and her son. Billie was enjoying paddling in the sea when she was suddenly swept out into deep water. She tried to swim back, but the current was too strong. Then she remembered the RNLI’s Float to Live advice, which she had learned about in her swimming lessons. Billie floated on her back.

On the shore, RNLI Volunteer Helm Andy Read was having a beach day with his family. He saw that Billie had been pulled out to sea and that she was rolling onto her back. Andy quickly asked his partner to call 999 for the Coastguard, then ran into the water. Andy reached Billie and helped her safely back to the shore.

A month later, Billie visited Mudeford Lifeboat Station with her very grateful mum, Kate. Billie was reunited with Andy. He showed her around the station and the lifeboat and reassured her that she did exactly the right thing by floating. 

Watch this video to hear the full story from Billie and Andy.

With a kind donation, you can help give RNLI lifesavers everything they need to bring people safely home. You can make more beautiful reunions possible.