Weston RNLI help demonstrate the roles of lifeboat crew members in book series
The Here to Help series are books for young readers to introduce them to people who work or help the communities where they live. When the author was planning a book about the RNLI she chose Weston-super-Mare.
The Here to Help series, published by the Watts publishing group, contain descriptions of the activities of many workers using a combination of text and pictures. It includes books about doctors, dentists, bus drivers, postman, firefighters, nurses and many more. The books are also populated with simple questions for teachers to use to enhance the information.
The author came and spent a day with the Weston RNLI volunteer crew and focused on one of the crew members David Ridout.
There are sections on what the RNLI lifeboats do, how to get help if someone is in trouble at sea, the kit he uses and the various type of lifeboat in use. It then goes on to describe a training exercise to show how the whole team on the lifeboat station are involved. The whole story is graphically illustrated by high quality pictures taken at Weston.
David Ridout said: 'It was fun to do this. For us it was standard training but we were able to show what we do. I hope it interests young people, both to help them keep safe at sea and to think about joining us when they are old enough.'
Notes to editors
For further information, please contact Weston-super-Mare RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Glyn Hayes on 01934 824587 or Chris Lyons Deputy RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07825 347697
Lifeboats in service at Weston-super-Mare
Atlantic 75 class Lifeboat named Coventry and Warwickshire
D-Class Lifeboat named Anna StockÂ
The station was established in 1882 at the request of the local inhabitants and moved into a new boathouse in 1902. In 2013 the Pier connecting Birnbeck Island to the mainland became too unstable and dangerous. The crew now use a temporary station on the shoreline while waiting for a new permanent home.
To find out more information about Weston-super-Mare lifeboat and for recent events, please log onto our website or contact Glyn Hayes on 01934 824587.
www.westonrnli.org.uk
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 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.