Brighton RNLI celebrates mother and daughter volunteers this Mother’s Day
This Mother’s Day the RNLI in Brighton is celebrating four of its volunteers – who are also mother and daughter.
Livia Brynin joined the RNLI in Brighton as a crew member four years ago, inspiring her mother, Rebecca, to join six months later as a volunteer in the shop.
Livia said: 'I joined the RNLI because I live on the coast very close to the station and I wanted the opportunity to give something back to the community and to help the people who need it. My role at the lifeboat station means so much to me so I was thrilled when Mum wanted to be a part of the wider team too. She does a great job in the shop and is always a friendly face for any visitors to the station.”
Rebecca added: 'Seeing the work that the crew do and knowing what they go through daily, I wanted to be a part of it. Although I’m firmly on the shore in the shop, I don’t get a foot wet but I help in a small way. I think all the crew are inspiring to get up and do what they do at a moment’s notice whatever the weather, not just my daughter, but also everyone at the RNLI.
'Seeing first hand what Livia does has helped me to gain a better understanding of the life of the crew and how incredible they really are. Fundraising for me is a good way of stepping up - I get to sell lovely things in the shop and I meet lovely people.'
When Livia, who is 5ft tall, joined the RNLI a special, smaller suit had to be ordered for her to ensure it fit correctly.
Livia said: 'I think that was real the push for Mum to volunteer in the shop and to get selling some Christmas cards - to indirectly contribute to the cost of the suit!'
Tatti McNally joined the RNLI 15 years ago as part of the education team teaching water safety in school and is now the retail lead for the South East.
Her daughter, Beth, joined as a crew member five and a half years ago.
Beth said: 'I got the benefit of my mum’s school talks growing up as I’d sometimes tag along. I was inspired and always felt the lifeboats were cool. I didn’t fully understand what being a crew member was until I was older but I’d kick around the station and did my Duke of Edinburgh award here, prompted by Mum, which was really fun. I learnt more about the role of crew then when I was old enough and then got involved myself. Having Mum understand what the life of the crew is like is an amazing support. I know that when the pager goes off I’ll have someone at home who is there to listen and understands the terminology and knows exactly what kind of things we go to.'
Tatti said: 'I am so proud of Beth, I was chuffed to bits when she wanted to join the crew. I am really pleased for her and its lovely to see really capable women joining the crew. It was my dream job when I started with the charity and now Beth has also got so much out of her role. The RNLI is like a kind of family so it’s nice to see her joining that and really loving her training and meeting new friends so I was really pleased.”
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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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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.