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RNLI celebrates women lifesavers for International Women’s Day

Lifeboats News Release

This week, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated 200 years of lifesaving. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the RNLI’s Chair was joined by staff and volunteers to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate our remarkable women lifesavers.

RNLI/Nathan Williams

RNLI women across various roles came together outside Westminster Abbey to represent RNLI women across the charity's 200th anniversary. Left to right: Karen Stewart (Lochinver fundraising), Jen Payne (Penarth), Aine Flynn (Ballycotton), Janet Legrand OBE KC (RNLI Chair), Nelly Gallichan Jersey lifeguards), Jayne George (RNLI Fundraising Director).

Against the backdrop of Westminster Abbey, a historic rowing lifeboat and a RNLI Shannon class lifeboat, Jen Payne, inshore lifeboat volunteer at Penarth, volunteer Áine Flynn from Ballycotton’s all-weather lifeboat, Karen Stewart from the Lochinver Fundraising Branch and Jersey lifeguard Nelly Gallican stood outside the Abbey to represent the women volunteers who came before them, celebrate the women volunteers of today and inspire the next generation.

The lifesavers were joined by RNLI Chair Janet Legrand and Director of Fundraising Media and Marketing, Jayne George.

For 2024, the theme for International Women’s Day is to inspire inclusion by celebrating diversity and empowerment for the future.

RNLI Chair, Janet Legrand said: ‘As we celebrate our bicentenary, it was incredibly important for us to take a moment with women from across all roles at the RNLI to mark this remarkable milestone in our charity’s history.

‘For generations, women have launched lifeboats, fundraised millions and saved lives. As we enter our third century, we hope to inspire more women to volunteer with our lifesaving charity.’

As part of the lifesaving charity’s celebration to mark their 200th anniversary on 4 March 2024, volunteers and staff from across the UK and Ireland joined a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

The RNLI has been saving lives at sea around the UK and Ireland for 200 years and, since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 146,277 lives.

The Women of the RNLI exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in London is now open until December. Visit rmg.co.uk for more information.

Notes to editor

RNLI/Nathan Williams

Penarth inshore lifeboat volunteer, Jen Payne.

RNLI/Nathan Williams

Áine Flynn from Ballycotton’s all-weather lifeboat.

RNLI/Nathan Williams

Jersey lifeguard, Nelly Gallican.

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.

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