North Berwick RNLI receive PETA’s Hero to Animals Award

The award citation reads: ‘PETA recognises and commends North Berwick RNLI for bravely rescuing Sparkle the dog, who fell into the sea, and bring her and her guardians safely to shore.’

Sparkle had been taken to Seacliff beach by her owner David when the incident happened on Saturday 7 February. You can read a full account of the rescue, which also involved Dunbar RNLI and Coastguard Rescue Teams from North Berwick and Dunbar, here.

Matthew Gibbons, volunteer helm at North Berwick Lifeboat Station 'We thank PETA for their recognition of the team effort between our RNLI volunteers and members of the North Berwick and Dunbar Coastguard Rescue Teams.'

'Bystanders had also worked together to try and help Sparkles after she fell into the water. The whole incident really shows the strength of the bonds that can develop between animals and humans.'

'It was heart warming to see Sparkles and her owner David reunited, we are glad that the incident ended in a positive outcome.'

‘It can be very hard in the moment to resist the urge to jump into the water to try and save your dog, but our advice, in any coastal emergency, is to dial 999 for the Coastguard.'

'In the case of a dog in the water, you can try to move to an area where they might be able to climb out before calling their name to encourage them towards you. Your safety however is paramount.'

Peta’s senior vice president Mimi Bekhechi said: 'Thanks to these rescuers’ heroic actions, what could have been a tragedy for Sparkle and her guardians had a happy ending.'

Jamie Humpage, Station Officer, North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team said 'The team are honoured to receive the PETA Hero to Animals award for rescuing Sparkles back in February. We had over 100 call outs last year, but it is rescues like this that stick in the mind'

'We know how dogs are like family, so we were glad to be able to reunite Sparkle with her owner.'

The RNLI and Coastguard teams met up for a joint training exercise to familiarise newer members of both teams of our complementary capabilities as they work closely together throughout the year on call outs, and to take a group photo with the PETA Hero to Animals Awards.

The Mayday Mile

The RNLI’s is urging the public to get involved with its biggest national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile, to help fund its vital lifesaving service.

Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, tackling a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.

To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday

Notes to editors

• It cost £1,360 a year to train each crew member in the lifesaving skills they need to answer the call for help
• Across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, RNLI lifeboat crews based out of 238 lifeboat stations helped 8,290 people and saved 272 lives as the charity’s lifeboats launched more than 9,000 times in 2025, making it the sixth-busiest year in the charity’s history. More here
• One of the lives saved at North Berwick was a capsized kayaker which was caught on helmet camera. A full report and video footage are available on the RNLI’s News Centre.
• LtoR on both images Campbell Aird (North Berwick CRT), David Peebles (North Berwick CRT), Danielle Mathieu (North Berwick CRT), Beth Vokurka (Dunbar CRT), Neil Rankin (back) (North Berwick CRT), Richard Budd (North Berwick CRT), Murray Watt (Dunbar CRT), Lauchlan Aird (North Berwick CRT), Paul Reynolds, Deputy Station Officer (North Berwick CRT), Lewis Hamilton Smith (North Berwick CRT), Jamie Humpage, Station Officer (North Berwick CRT), Gordon Tatnell (North Berwick RNLI), Fraser Fulton (North Berwick RNLI), Matthew Gibbons (North Berwick RNLI), Robin Attwood (North Berwick RNLI), Alan Walter (North Berwick RNLI), Sarah Coutts (North Berwick RNLI)

RNLI Media Contacts

Matthew Gibbons, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
24 hour RNLI Central Press Office, 01202 336789 or email [email protected]

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.