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Beaumaris RNLI all-female crew win Great River Race trophy

Lifeboats News Release

An all-female volunteer crew from Beaumaris RNLI won the ‘Services Women - Tamar Trophy’ in this year’s Great River Race, whilst smashing their target to raise vital funds for the lifesaving charity in its 200th anniversary year.

'Girls in the Boat' crew (L-R) Eleanor Butler, Gwen Beeken, Stevie Scanlan, Cindy Styles, Clare Tewson and Pippa Thomas.

Beaumaris RNLI

'Girls in the Boat' crew (L-R) Eleanor Butler, Gwen Beeken, Stevie Scanlan, Cindy Styles, Clare Tewson and Pippa Thomas.

Taking part in the race last Saturday (21 September 2024), the crew made up of Beaumaris RNLI volunteers Gwen Beeken, Pippa Thomas, Cindy Styles, Stevie Scanlan, Eleanor Butler and Clare Tewson (with support crew members Giovanna Culeddu, Cheryl Owen and Mandi Shipton on standby) – rowed their Celtic Longboat 21.6 miles covering a marathon distance from east (Millwall) to west (Richmond) London.

Stevie Scanlan said: ‘Honestly it was unbelievable – we were quite overwhelmed and emotional at the start, I think because of all the support that we’ve had from everybody.

‘The race itself was incredible and the atmosphere on the day and all the crowds cheering everyone on, it was so special to be a part of it all.

‘We finished the race in 2 hours 43 minutes but we had no idea we’d won our category. It wasn't until the prize-giving after the race, when we were presented with the Tamar Trophy in the 'Services Women' category, which means we were the first female crew to finish from the armed forces, police, ambulance, lifeboat and coastguard.’

The self-titled ‘Girls in the Boat’ (a play on the title of the film The Boys in the Boat), set out with one clear mission – to raise £7,325 for the RNLI, representing ten pence for everyday RNLI volunteers have stood ready to save lives over the past 200 years (4 March 1824 to race day on the 21 September 2024, 73250 days).

Stevie continued: ‘We’re so thrilled to have smashed our fundraising target and so far we’re on about £7945. We hope to reach £8000 after a final push at an event we’re holding at our club house in the next week or so.

Team Captain during the race Gwen Beeken said: ‘The money we’ve raised is amazing and we know first-hand what impact it has and how it will save lives.

‘But I think I’m most proud of how we’ve come together as a team. We talk about “One Crew” at the RNLI and this has been a true example of it.

‘The whole experience of us girls bonding as a rowing team, coming from different RNLI volunteer roles across operations, engagement and fundraising. As well as the wider support from the station, our families, friends and supporters, I’m so proud of us all.’

Pippa Thomas said: ‘We also want to shout out and say a huge “thank you” to the network of support from all the in-land RNLI supporters and fundraisers in the UK, who aren’t directly connected to the coast but show fantastic support to our lifesaving mission.’

Stevie added: ‘As Gwen and Pippa say the support has been unbelievable. On race day our friends and family were shouting and screaming all the way, we had banners, flags the lot! It really made us feel inspired about what we set out to do and what we’ve achieved.’

After the race the team were celebrating, when they met some fellow RNLI volunteers from a station over 300 miles away from their home in Beaumaris. Gwen said: ‘We met some RNLI crew from Hayling Island, who were part of the safety cover for the race. They came over to us to say congratulations and that they were thrilled we were doing it for the RNLI.

‘I think that just really sums the RNLI up. It’s a team, it’s one crew, it’s a family – it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you do, you’re all connected in a common mission of working together to make positive impact in your communities and save lives at sea.’

You can still donate to the ‘Girls in the Boat’ via their JustGiving page:
Girls in the Boat - Beaumaris RNLI Crew Great River Race Challenge 2024

Notes to editors:

  • Photo credits: Beaumaris RNLI
  • Interviews are available on request. Please contact Claire on the details below to arrange.
RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 / [email protected].

Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

The crew walking across a zebra crossing in London

Beaumaris RNLI

Pre-race fun in the city
The team holding their Tamar Trophy

Beaumaris RNLI

The team won the 'Tamar Trophy' in the 'Services Women' category
Pic taken inside the boat during the race with Houses of Parliament in the background.

Beaumaris RNLI

The team completed the race in 2 hours 43 minutes
Celtic Longboat being rowed on the Thames

Beaumaris RNLI

The 'Girls in the Boat' rowed their Celtic Longboat 21.6 miles
RNLI supporters on Tower Bridge holding RNLI flags

Beaumaris RNLI

Family and friends were supporting all the way

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.

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