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Newhaven Lifeboat casualty in Christmas Eve episode of RNLI podcast, 200 Voices

Lifeboats News Release

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) new 200 Voices is a podcast, launched on 18 August 2023, in the run-up to the charity’s bicentenary on 4 March 2024. An episode is released every day for 200 days, exploring captivating stories from the charity’s history, through to current day.

RNLI/Nigel Millard

Dermot Ryan who was rescued by Newhaven RNLI
On Sunday 24 December, paraglider Dermot Ryan will be telling listeners about the best gift he received from Newhaven RNLI on Christmas Eve 2021 when he relives the moment they saved his life.

Dermot Ryan said: ‘Even before I got to the point, I looked back and saw that I was out of range of the beach. At that stage, even before I flew round the corner, I knew I was in trouble.’

‘It’s like being in an industrial washing machine. And it’s set on the freeze to death cycle.’

‘I remember there was one crew member, he had his hand on my shoulder, and he was talking to me the whole time. Just that human touch, I get quite emotional when I think about it. Just that reassurance really, that was absolutely wonderful.'

'A wave of euphoria washed over me and I remember thinking, wow it feels good to be alive.’

The charity has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives. Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially-trained volunteers, the RNLI is a truly unique rescue organisation with a remarkable 200-year story to tell – many highlights of which are shared through the podcast series.

Available across all podcast platforms and the RNLI’s website, listeners can hear from survivors, supporters, volunteers, lifeguards, celebrity ambassadors, historians and many more from across the UK and Ireland – and beyond.

The 200 Voices series also includes celebrity ambassadors such as The Sixth Commandment actor Timothy Spall, Gavin and Stacey actress Ruth Jones, Irish musician Phil Coulter, gold medal Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie and BAFTA-winning actress Joanna Scanlan.

RNLI Strategic Content Manager, Rory Stamp said: ‘200 Voices is an incredible collection of stories that are emotive, powerful, inspiring and heart-warming. The series gives us a chance to hear from a whole variety of amazing people who have played a part in or been touched by our lifesaving charity.

‘200 Voices is the first in a programme of activity planned to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. At this monumental milestone, we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, remember our remarkable history and aim to inspire the future generations of lifesavers and supporters as we move through into the next 200 years.’

Launch into a podcast like no other: Listen to the RNLI’s 200 Voices daily wherever you get your podcasts or at RNLI.org/200Voices.

To find out more about the RNLI’s bicentenary, visit RNLI.org/200.

Notes to Editor
:
• An audio trailer for 200 Voices can be downloaded here and the video trailer here.
• Find out more about the RNLI’s bicentenary at RNLI.org/200.

RNLI

Rescued Dermot Ryan thanks Newhaven RNLI's Lewis Arnold and Chris Glasspool

RNLI

Newhaven RNLI volunteer Chris Glasspool reaches for Dermot Ryan

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.