42 people line Wirral beach representing lives saved by RNLI lifeguards

RNLI lifeguarding first arrived in Sefton in 2010, before being rolled out on the Wirral in 2015.

The visual representation comes ahead of International Lifeguard Appreciation Day (31 July), as the RNLI celebrates 25 years of its lifeguards keeping people safer on beaches across the UK and Channel Islands. Having started in Cornwall in 2001, the service was rolled out in the Sefton area in 2010 covering beaches in Formby, Crosby, Ainsdale and Southport.

Since then, RNLI lifeguards in Sefton have attended 7,303 incidents, aided 45,955 people and saved 23 lives. Sefton is home to the only beach across the RNLI which is lifeguarded 365 days a year, with lifeguards at Crosby on duty – even on Christmas Day.

In Formby, RNLI lifeguards have attended 1,325 incidents, aided 9,221 people and saved one life.

On the Wirral, RNLI lifeguards who patrol West Kirby, Moreton, Harrison Drive, Leasowe Bay, The Plateaux, and New Brighton have attended 3,515 incidents, aided 16,368 people and saved 18 lives.

One of those with a personal reason for joining the line up is local triathlete Myka Heard, who has first hand experience of how vital the lifeguarding service is – even to the most experienced swimmers. During the Mersey Aquathlon in 2024, she became overwhelmed after being knocked by waves. Myka says:

‘I got tumbled several times in the water and became really disorientated. The shore suddenly seemed very far away. I realised how quickly things can change and how hard it would have been to get back on my own.’

After assistance from RNLI lifeguards, Myka was able to stay calm, regain control and continue the swim.

‘Even very strong swimmers can get intro trouble – the RNLI lifeguarding service is so important. Even my small interaction with them that day gave me an insight into their professionalism and the essential service they provide. I have since suffered a stroke and am more cautious entering the sea, only doing so with lifeguards on duty.’

Long standing Senior Lifeguard Richard Webster, joined the service 10 years ago at the age of 50. Throughout his many years of service, Richard is proud to be part of the RNLI, and has many highlights over his career, one being invited to Westminster Abbey for the 200th anniversary.

Richard said:

'Growing up on the coast and always living near the sea meant I had knowledge of the RNLI from a very early age.

‘It wasn’t until I reached 50 that I found I had the time in my life to fulfil with a different role, lifeguarding always appealed to me.’

Throughout Richard’s many years with the RNLI, he has seen the service change, through advancements in technology, monitoring, reporting, but the core of lifeguarding has remained the same. Richard said:

‘In lifeguarding you have to work together as a team and be there for each other.

‘For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of lifeguarding is being a part of the education, safety talks to young children. Having the opportunity to teach water safety to children from a young age, is really important as it may one day save a life.’

Senior RNLI Lifeguard Sarah Abbott, 24, joined in 2019 when she was just 17 years old and has completed seven seasons with the RNLI. She was born in 2001 when the service was first introduced and on the 25th anniversary of lifeguarding she is proud of the effect lifeguarding has had on people’s lives.

She said:

‘Over the years, our team has grown in size and diversity which represents the service as a whole. Each year we respond to more and more incidents which really drives us to organise more training sessions and get creative so we are ready for anything we might come across. It is amazing to see the impact the service is having on the nation alongside the work the lifeboats do, as well as the positivity and respect we receive from our local communities.

‘Without the training, technology and equipment, we wouldn't be able to provide such a high level of care and response when needed. Each year we receive updated casualty care training to reflect the current teachings and best practices, as well as being provided with the equipment needed to ensure both the public and our safety while visiting the beaches.

‘Over the last couple of years I've found people are a lot more informed on the risks at the coast, even those unsure on specific risks or the local area know to ask a lifeguard to avoid getting into trouble. The best thing about being a lifeguard is the opportunities it provides, the people you meet on the way and the confidence you develop.’

In addition to working on Wirral’s beaches Sarah has also helped to patrol the North Wales beach Prestatyn. It was here she experienced one of the most memorable rescues and became acutely aware of how quickly the coastal environment can change. With currents and wind pulling visitors to sharp rock groynes, Sarah and her colleagues entered the water to rescue two teenagers.

Lifeguards spend much of their time taking preventative actions to help keep the public safe, RNLI beach lifeguards in the Formby area have carried out 173,573 preventative actions, Sefton 1,026,400 and Wirral 817,353.

Sarah adds:

‘While you may not always see us actively ‘saving lives’ in the traditional sense, a lot of dedication and training goes on behind the scenes, accompanied by preventative actions throughout the season, reducing the risk for many people visiting the beaches before they find themselves in an emergency situation.

The sea can be unpredictable and there are moments when the team must intervene in challenging conditions.

Peter Dawes, RNLI Lifeguard General Manager, said:

‘As a charity we are here to save lives at sea. Thanks to RNLI lifeguards our beaches are safer places, so we can enjoy our time at the coast and return home safely at the end of the day. Around 95% of a lifeguard’s work is prevention. They keep beachgoers safe by educating them about water safety and spotting the dangers before accidents happen.

‘RNLI lifeguards past and present have kept millions of beach visitors safe over the past 25 years and will continue to do so for years to come. If you are planning a visit to the coast this summer, please remember to visit a lifeguarded beach.’

Notes to editors

Media Opportunity: To mark International Lifeguard Appreciation Day (31 July) and celebrate 25 years of the RNLI Lifeguard Service, media are invited to New Brighton beach to photograph 42 people lined on the beach – the number of lives saved since the service was introduced in the north west.

There is also the opportunity to hear from the lifeguards behind the charity's lifesaving work in the north west. Interviews will be available with Senior RNLI lifeguards Richard Webster, who has been part of the team since its inception, and Senior Lifeguard Sarah Abbott, who was born the year lifeguarding was introduced to the RNLI - representing the next generation of RNLI lifesavers. Lucy Roberts, she works as a beach lifeguard on the Wirral during the summer season is also available for interview.

When: Thursday 30 July at 10am

Where: New Brighton Beach – opposite the Floral Pavilion

Additional info: Interviews are available. We will be capturing video and photo content which will be made available to the media. Please register your intention to attend. Please register your intention to attend our media opportunity by contacting Danielle Rush on the telephone numbers below.

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead in Wales, the North West and Isle of Man on 07786 668829 or Betsy Owen, Regional Communications Placement on [email protected].

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.