RNLI and Girlguiding Cymru launch 200th anniversary collaboration
This year the charity is celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea and to mark the bicentenary, the RNLI has worked with Girlguiding Cymru to create a new lifesaving resource.
On Tuesday 10 September, RNLI representatives and members of Girlguiding Cymru met at Barry Dock RNLI Visitor Centre to officially launch the collaboration.
The RNLI and Girlguiding Cymru have created the ‘Mayday, Mayday’ water safety badge and launched accompanying resources. The resources focus on four key messages in an attempt to provide lifesaving advice to young people and their families.
It is hoped that thousands of GirlGuides across Wales take on the Mayday Mayday challenge in their Girlguiding units and in doing so have fun and learn lifesaving water safety information.
Attendees enjoyed refreshments before being addressed by RNLI Water Safety Lead Chris Cousens and Sarah-Jane Burns Girlguiding Deputy Chief Commissioner.
Also speaking at the event was Katie Phillips, a crew member on Barry Dock lifeboat, who was able to inspire the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers at the launch about her role in Saving Lives at sea.
Following this, attendees were given a tour of Barry Dock RNLI’s new Visitor Centre, a RNLI Water Safety session from Tim Treloar RNLI South West Water Safety Education Manager , followed by an introduction to the ‘Mayday, Mayday’ Challenge.
Chris Cousens RNLI Water Safety Lead for Wales said:
‘We know that educating young people about water safety is fundamental to saving lives and is a core part of the RNLI’s prevention work. The more young people we can reach with our water safety messages, the more lives we can save now and in the future.
‘So we’re delighted to be collaborating with Girlguiding Cymru, one of the regions of Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated to girls aged 4-18.’
Girlguiding Cymru deputy chief commissioner - Sarah-Jane Burns said:
‘We are excited to launch this challenge pack in celebration of the RNLI's 200th anniversary. It's important that our members are aware of the dangers of the sea and understand how to respect it.
‘This fun-filled pack will teach us how to stay safe and have a great time. Perhaps it will even inspire some of our members to become volunteers with the RNLI in the future.’
Katie Phillips, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Crew at Barry Dock, added:
‘At its core this collaboration is about sharing key messages that will ultimately save lives – but it’s also a fantastic way to introduce young girls to the potential opportunities an organisation like the RNLI has to offer.
‘As a world-leading search and rescue organisation/charity there is a huge variety of volunteer and career opportunities. These range from operational roles like flying hovercrafts and lifeguarding beaches, to data analysis, fundraising and building the lifeboats of the future.
‘I really hope Girlguiding units Wales take the time to engage with this wonderful resource and deliver it in their communities – you will absolutely be making a lifesaving difference and inspiring the next generation.’
Both the RNLI and Girlguiding Cymru have volunteers at their hearts. Through this partnership the organisations collectively hope to inspire a future generation of lifesavers.
The resource has been created to be used by all age sections of Girlguiding; Rainbows 4-7, Brownies 7-10, Guides 10-14 and Rangers 14-18.
The badge and resource are called ‘Mayday, Mayday’ as ‘Mayday’ is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice-procedure radio communications.
Notes to editors
- The resource can be found at: RNLI and Girlguiding Cymru Mayday challenge
- Interviews available upon request
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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 142,700 lives.
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