56. Float to Live: Eleanor Hooker

Poet and Lough Derg Lifeboat Helm Eleanor Hooker reads her 200th anniversary poem, and reveals the inspiration behind it

When Eleanor Hooker was invited to write a poem to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, she knew a sugary tribute wasn’t her style. It couldn’t capture the tangle of raw emotions she’d witnessed first-hand on lifeboat rescues. Instead, she drew on her own experience of being saved.

Find a quiet moment to listen to this episode; let Eleanor’s evocative storytelling transport you to the dark waters of Lough Derg and the calm she found there, floating. Hear how the crew insulate themselves against the ‘rabid creature’ that is fear – and find out why a smile is a priceless piece of crew kit.

Read Eleanor’s full poem or follow this link:

https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2023/october/200-voices-eleanor-hooker

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI

Interview by Adventurous Audio

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200