
New Brighton RNLI appoint new press team
New Brighton RNLI are very pleased to welcome newly appointed Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO) Lauren Francom and Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer (DLPO) Connor Wray to the team.
The role of the LPO is to liaise with local media, building good relations and ensuring that our volunteer stories, as well as news regarding rescues, are reported accurately and in a timely manner to the local press and the community at large.
New Brighton RNLI bid a fond farewell to outgoing LPO Garreth Berry, who served the station fantastically throughout his time in post, dealing with some of the busiest years the station has ever seen.
Incoming LPO Lauren is not unfamiliar to the workings of New Brighton RNLI, as her father was a part of the lifeboat crew several years ago. In her day job, Lauren is a Communications and Marketing Officer for the NHS, so feels that this new role suits her well.
She said: ‘When I was younger, I was incredibly proud of my dad, I used to love coming down to the beach and watching the training, along with the rest of my family. I’ve always loved being in the water, swimming is something I really enjoy and find relaxing. Growing up, it has always been drilled into me, the importance of respecting the water and ensuring you stay vigilant, as things can go wrong very quickly.
‘Living on the Wirral, we are surrounded by water, and often hear stories of people stranded when the tide has come in quickly. I want to support the RNLI to save lives at sea and help raise awareness of the dangers of the water.’
Connor, the new DLPO, is a current trainee crew member at the station, having joined in March 2021. He is a professional photographer by day and runs a local theatre company too, both of which he hopes will stand him in good stead for his new responsibility at station.
New Brighton RNLI is located on the north-east corner of the Wirral peninsula, on the banks of the river Mersey, looking out to Liverpool and the Irish Sea beyond. It currently houses an inshore Atlantic 85 B-Class Lifeboat, with a volunteer crew of around 30.
As with 95% of the RNLI, New Brighton is crewed almost entirely by volunteers and funded by public donations. Their crew are on call 24/7/365 to answer the call when they are needed to save lives at sea.
New Brighton Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) Ian Thornton said: ‘We are sad indeed to see Garreth resign, as he served the station wonderfully during his time as LPO. The future is bright indeed, however, with the appointment of Lauren and Connor, who I am confident will do a cracking job.’
Notes to Editors
Artist Impression of New Brighton Lifeboat station by Joseph Travis @redfoxpottery (Twitter)
RNLI Media Contacts
Lauren Francom – Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO) on 07850449080 or Connor Wray – Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer (DLPO)
07756553092
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, Twitter 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.