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Duke of Cambridge visits Tower RNLI to discuss male suicide issue

Lifeboats News Release

The RNLI today welcomed the Duke of Cambridge to London’s Tower lifeboat station for the launch of a multi-agency taskforce aiming to help tackle the issue of male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK.

The Duke was met at the charity’s floating lifeboat station, nestled next to Waterloo Bridge in central London, by volunteer and full-time members of the Tower RNLI lifeboat crew, along with representative from other frontline organisations who are often the first on scene in dealing with self-harm related incidents.

Earlier in the day the Duke of Cambridge led the inaugural roundtable discussion of the male suicide prevention coalition, convened by the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and made up of representatives from National Rail, RNLI, Highways England, British Transport Police, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fire Officers Association, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, Samaritans and Lynx.

You can find out more about the taskforce here https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/calm/pressreleases/duke-of-cambridge-welcomes-taskforce-on-male-suicide-1401804

Following the visit, Brian Robson, RNLI Community Safety Manager, said: ‘The impact of suicide on society, communities, families and individuals cannot be underestimated. The RNLI is pleased to be a part of this hugely positive partnership focussing on preventing male suicide in particular.

‘Our charity is committed, through collaboration and partnership working, to help raise the profile of this issue, reduce suicide in, on and around the water and by doing so contribute to preventing suicide in the UK as a whole. We are looking forward to the work ahead.’

David Norman, Tower RNLI lifeboat station helmsman in London, said: ‘Suicide attempts and self- harm are a big part of what we deal with on the River Thames in London. It’s something our full-time and volunteer crews have to come to terms with dealing with.’

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.

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