RNLI

This Father's Day, we want to introduce you to the Guy family from Eastbourne, because their story is something pretty special 😍

It all started with great grandfather George volunteering for RNLI Eastbourne. Now, four generations and 112 years of combined RNLI service later, 18-year-old Ellie has become the latest family member to walk through the same station doors.

Grandfather Dick dedicated 47 incredible years, uncle Tim served for 20, and dad Dan is celebrating his 30th year of volunteering this year!

Alongside volunteering, Dan also works full-time for the RNLI as Fleet Staff Coxswain and holds a Bronze Medal for Gallantry for saving a man’s life after a 2002 rescue of a yacht in gale force and wild seas.

Ellie says seeing how proud her dad was to be part of the crew is what made her want to join. As the youngest family member responding to the pager, she hopes to make her family proud and encourage more women to join the search and rescue (SAR) industry.

Happy Father's Day to Dan, Dick, and all RNLI dads who save lives at sea 💙

[Visual description: Image one - Dick Guy stands on the far left of the photograph, Dan Guy stands in the middle left alongside Ellie Guy on the middle right, Tim Guy stands on the far right. Dan and Ellie are in yellow and black lifeboat kit and red lifejackets, while Dick and Tim wear navy jackets and light blue RNLI lifejackets. They are all standing at the bow of a Trent class lifeboat. Image two - Ellie (left) and Dan (right) stand in yellow and black lifeboat crew kit and red lifejackets outside Eastbourne lifeboat station, smiling in front of the station's sign.]

If you come across this post, you HAVE to tell us your favourite lifeguarded beach! 🏖️

We couldn’t be more proud of our eight volunteers and staff recognised in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours, each awarded for their remarkable dedication to saving lives at sea 💙

With more than four decades of unwavering commitment, Eric Taylor has carried forward a proud RNLI family legacy stretching back generations, turning a lifelong passion into outstanding impact. As Chair of the Penlee Lifeboat Fundraising Branch, his leadership has helped raise nearly half a million pounds, leaving a lasting mark on the station and its future.

For over 34 years, Ian Stroud has been a cornerstone of the Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat community, dedicating his time both on and off the water to support our lifesaving work. From crew member to trusted leader and voice of the station, his tireless commitment has championed volunteers, raised awareness, and strengthened vital community connections.

Phill Corsi’s exceptional 44-year journey with the RNLI includes his volunteer service at Newhaven RNLI since the age of 17, progressing to a coxswain and then onto senior operational leadership, showing dedication at every level. From commanding rescues at sea to guiding operations across the south east, his legacy is one of courage, leadership and lifelong commitment to saving lives.

With an incredible 70 years of service, Les Coe has dedicated a lifetime protecting and supporting his local community at RNLI Walmer Lifeboat. From brave rescues to decades of operational leadership, his enduring dedication and passion are an inspiration.

Andy Burden’s service reflects a lifetime of commitment, combining more than 13 years with the RNLI alongside over 40 years in the Royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence - MoD. As Lifeboat Operations Manager at RNLI Cleethorpes, he continues to lead with humility and purpose, dedicating himself to supporting others, particularly veterans, and strengthening the communities he serves.

Jono Dodd is the incredible Helm at RNLI West Kirby Lifeboat and has dedicated nearly 40 years to the RNLI, holding a number of roles between West Kirby and RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station. We're proud to see his unwavering commitment to the RNLI be recognised.

With more than 36 years of dedicated service, RNLI Lochinver Lifeboat Coxswain David Macaskill played a vital role in numerous rescues along the north-west coast of Scotland. From receiving the RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry following a challenging night-time rescue to serving his local community in so many ways, we're so glad David is being recognised for his amazing RNLI career.

Former Chair of the RNLI Penrith Fundraising Branch, Brenda Couzens, has also been recognised for her long-standing dedication to the RNLI and her significant contribution to saving lives at sea. For nearly 30 years, she has undertaken a range of roles including committee member and branch secretary, raising thousands of pounds to support our frontline lifesavers.

Congratulations to Eric, Ian, Les, Andy and Brenda on your incredible British Empire Medals (BEM), and Phill, Jono and David on receiving a much deserved Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 👏

RNLI Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes said: ‘I am always astounded by the dedication of our volunteers and staff and these six are testament to the commitment demonstrated by so many of our people.

'Over 70 years of selfless service is truly remarkable, and Les Coe is by no means alone in this achievement; so many of our volunteers give decades of their time to saving lives at sea.

'Whatever their role, they are all lifesavers and the RNLI couldn’t do what we do without them powering our frontline services with passion, talent and kindness.

'My heartfelt congratulations to these six Honours recipients, and as we enter our peak summer season, my thanks go to the thousands of volunteers who give their time so generously to the RNLI.’

[Visual description: A collage. The first man is in RNLI crew kit, standing facing the camera on a beach, with the name Andy Burden in text. The second man is wearing a black jacket and leaning against an RNLI lifeboat, with the name Ian Stroud in text. The third man is standing in RNLI crew kit in front of an RNLI tractor with the text, Jono Dodd. The fourth man is standing in a crowd of people and smiling at the camera, with the name Eric Taylor in text. He has medals on his suit jacket. The fifth man is wearing a suit and smiling at the camera, with the name Phill Corsi in text. The sixth man is smiling at the camera in a shirt and tie in front of a black background, with the name Les Coe in text. The seventh man is in a shirt and tie, holding a medal in a display box. He has two similarly dressed men standing on either side of him, with the text David Macaskill. The eighth is a lady in a padded blue jacket, holding a framed certificate. She's smiling at the camera, with the text Brenda Couzens. ]

This year, Achill Island RNLI are celebrating 30 years of saving lives at sea! 🎉

Located on the largest of the Irish isles, the station was established in 1996, with a total of 414 launches, 268 people aided and 11 lives saved.

Our Achill Island volunteers of past and present, as well as representatives from other emergency services, local organisations and supporters were proud to celebrate this important milestone with our Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes, and the Uachtarán na hÉireann / President of Ireland Catherine Connolly.

President Connolly unveiled a commemorative plaque and received a tour of the station's Trent class lifeboat.

President Connolly said: 'The community of Achill Island and surrounding areas are owed a debt of gratitude by all of us for their work in protecting lives of all those who work on or enjoy our seas.'

Thank you to our amazing volunteers for the past three decades of lifesaving work 💙

📷: RNLI/John O'Grady

[Visual description: Image one - Achill Island RNLI volunteers standing together with The President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, who is in the centre of the group. Image two - President Connolly standing with crew members of Achill Island RNLI who are wearing full lifeboat kit in front of the lifeboat. Image three - President Connolly standing with the commemorative plaque, marking the station's 30th anniversary.]

We've been so grateful for every single mile walked, ran or ridden this May!

After raising over £268,000, here's a few highlights from our awesome Mayday Mile fundraisers:

1. Euan and Andrew covered half a marathon every single day in May 🫨
2. We're obsessed with Donkey the horse who has been riding with his owner Johanna
3. Even with a broken ankle, Jay managed to complete a mile a day in May!
4. We've loved seeing Marg and her dog Mavis taking on the Mayday Mile.
5. A group of our incredible Wales and West volunteers and staff hiked Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) this month to raise funds.
6. Thank you to Lewis for raising over £1000 for us!
7. Jorgie and Jenson raised £1 for every single day of the year!
8. New Quay Lifeboat station crew member Pete Yates made us smile when he ran his final three miles (of 51) with his crew mates in full RNLI kit 💛
9. Team More Bear walked together for the RNLI in memory of their friends, Helen and Bear 💙

Thank you to our fundraisers for helping us to power our lifesavers 💪

[Visual description: A series of images of Mayday Mile fundraisers. Image one: RNLI crew in yellow kit running on a beach. Image two: Two men in running kit smile at the camera mid-run with their Strava running stats on screen. Image three: A woman sits on her horse in a grassy lane. Image four: A child wears an oversized red lifejacket and helmet and smiles at the camera. Image five: A woman stands proudly holding her dog on a leash in a wooded area. Image six: A group of 25 people pose in front of a red and yellow flag at the top of a mountain. Image seven: A child smiles at the camera wearing a yellow Mayday Mile t-shirt. Image eight: A young girl and her little brother stand in front of a lifeboat station holding a certificate that says they raised £365 for the RNLI. Image ten: A border of plushies around a blue screen in colourful outfits.]