Twin girls saved by RNLI in Kent place family photo in bicentennial time capsule

Twin sisters Evie and Lola’s lives were saved five years ago when disaster struck during a holiday to Kent in 2019. They were trying out their new blow-up unicorn when they were swept out to sea by an offshore wind. The family were asked to contribute to the time capsule as part of the RNLI’s bicentenary celebrations.

The girls’ inflatable rapidly started heading out to sea during a day out to Palm Bay beach, North Kent, so dad Ben Taylor swam out to what he described were just ‘two dots’ in the distance heading further out to sea. Margate RNLI lifeboat was launched along with Ramsgate RNLI, with RNLI lifeguards also joining the search.

Dad Ben was rescued by Ramsgate lifeboat first after he swam nearly three-quarters of a mile out to see to try and reach his daughters, then Evie and Lola. Fortunately, the girls had been taught RNLI float to live advice the previous day so knew the lifesaving technique.

Ben said: ‘We are still a family today thanks to these brave volunteers and whatever I do to repay them is never enough. I hand on heart believe my daughters would not be here today, starting college and mapping out their lives if it weren’t for the RNLI. I am forever grateful.

‘Helping the charity celebrate 200 years of saving lives and keeping families, like ours, together is something we are incredibly proud to be part of. Knowing our story will be engrained in RNLI history and will help inspire future generations is really quite something. I’m proud to put our family picture inside the time capsule as a reminder that families like ours have been spared a tragedy thanks to the selfless and brave volunteers.’

The relay has seen a specially designed time capsule pass from lifeboat to lifeboat, with each RNLI crew given the opportunity to add something before it is put on display in Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Museum.

Amy Rutland, RNLI Community Manager said: ‘For 200 years, we’ve relied on the generosity of everyday people – from seafaring crew to fundraisers and supporters, they’re all lifesavers and make the RNLI what it is, so this is for them.

‘It’s important that we’re connecting our people in this way and collecting mementos from each station to be sealed away for fifty years, so those crew that we inspire on this journey can look back in 2074, when the charity is 250 years old.’

To hear first-hand about Evie and Lola's rescue, please visit: RNLI Media Library

RNLI media contacts

For more information please email Izzy Coley, RNLI Media Engagement Placement – South East Region on [email protected] or telephone RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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.