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Redcar RNLI hosts Our Blue Light relay torch

Lifeboats News Release

The Redcar RNLI lifeboat station hosted a visit by a relay aimed at bringing emergency services together to raise awareness of mental health and to rid the stigma surrounding it.

The Our Blue Light torch at Redcar RNLI to highlight mental health issues amongst 999 services

RNLI/Dave Cocks

The Our Blue Light torch at Redcar RNLI to highlight mental health issues amongst 999 services
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On Tuesday 8 August 2017 the relay torch was brought to the lifeboat station by Ian Widdas and Phil Spencer of Cleveland Police and was handed into the care of RNLI volunteer crew member Paul McQuillan in front of an assembled group representing some of the emergency service who watch for and respond to incidents on the coast.

At the end of the visit the torch was handed back to the police officers so that it could continue on it's journey through the area before finally ending its journey in the North West of England in September.

Dave Cocks, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI said: 'The recent high profile incidents in London and elsewhere have really highlighted the work of the emergency services, including those from the voluntary 999 services like the RNLI.

'The relay comes on the back of the Blue Light Programme started by the mental health charity Mind, who's research show's that members of the emergency services are even more at risk of experiencing a mental health problem than the general population, but are less likely to seek support.'

The relay began in Blackpool in April before passing through Lancashire, the Peak District and then Yorkshire, taking in the Scarborough lifeboat station before arriving at the peak of Roseberry Topping. There the baton was handed over to Cleveland Police for the start of it's journey through the Teesside area. The torch's progress can be followed on twitter.com/OurBlueLight and more information on the Mind Blue Light Programme can be found at mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/bluelight.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Attached are images of the Our Blue Light relay at Redcar RNLI. Group image shows Redcar RNLI, UK Coastguard, Coastwatch Redcar and the Zetland lifeboat museum with Ian Widdas and Phil Spencer of Cleveland Police. Image shows the torch being handed to Paul McQuillan of Redcar RNLI by Steve Hart, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard. Image shows Ian Widdas (left) and Phil Spencer of Cleveland Police with the Our Blue Light torch. All images Credit Dave Cocks/RNLI.

Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Nicolas Thomas of Shropshire

For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07894 558 483 the RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [email protected]
The Our Blue Light torch being handed to RNLI volunteer Paul McQuillan

RNLI/Dave Cocks

The Our Blue Light torch being handed to RNLI volunteer Paul McQuillan
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Ian Widdas (left) and Phil Spencer of Cleveland Police at Redcar lifeboat station with the Our Blue Light torch

RNLI/Dave Cocks

Ian Widdas (left) and Phil Spencer of Cleveland Police at Redcar lifeboat station with the Our Blue Light torch
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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.

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About the author

Dave Cocks

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