Largs RNLI couple helping to save lives at sea this Valentine’s Day
Largs RNLI volunteers, Andrew Malone and Janet Iqbal, met whilst training together at their local lifeboat station station. Now, nearly 6 years later, the couple are continuing to save lives at sea together.
Between them, the couple have over ten years of voluntary service with the RNLI, with Janet beginning her RNLI voluntary career at Arran RNLI Lifeboat Station whilst there as a GP trainee in 2019 and Andrew joining the crew at Largs RNLI in 2018.
When Janet transferred to the mainland for her training in autumn 2019, she started attending Largs RNLI Lifeboat Station for one off training sessions, which is where the pair met.
Andrew says: ‘Janet joined us for around half a dozen training sessions at Largs RNLI to keep her hand in whilst over on the mainland during her GP training. Although we didn’t initially hit it off until a year later when we connected on social media, the RNLI will always be the thing that brought us together.’
The pair are now engaged and have recently bought their first home together in Largs.
Janet adds: ‘We’ve now made Largs our home together and we’re really settled here. The RNLI introduced us together, and it will always be a really big part of our life.
‘Andrew and I are from different walks of life. I’m not originally from a seafaring background whereas Andrew has been on the sea his whole life. The RNLI brought us together through our shared love of helping people, and it’s amazing to have that shared interest together.’
Andrew, who runs a yacht charter company, is a volunteer helm at Largs RNLI, which means he is in charge of the lifeboat when it’s tasked on a rescue.
Andrew adds: ‘We’ve been on a handful of shouts together as volunteer crew. It takes a bit of getting used to but at the end of the day, we have a job to do and our main focus is to help the individuals in trouble.’
Janet says: ‘I almost forget that Andrew is on the crew! We have to remain professional and put our personal life to one side when the pager goes. I’m used to switching hats as a GP and being professional, so it’s something that comes quite naturally to me.’
Thankfully, this Valentine’s Day, Janet and Andrew are spending some time off the pager to celebrate with friends.
They add: ‘I’m sure we would’ve been on the pager on Valentine’s Day but we’re actually seeing some friends who we haven’t seen since Hogmanay, so it will be nice to relax with them.’
To find out more about Largs RNLI, visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/largs-lifeboat-station
Notes to editors
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Largs lifeboat station has been operating since 1964. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/largs-lifeboat-station
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RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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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