RNLI 200 Voices

50. William Ivory on The Great Escaper

The true story of the Second World War veteran who went absent without leave to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day
Bernard Jordan survived not only Dunkirk, but D-Day too. So when, aged 89, and living in a care home in Hove, he was told that he couldn’t attend the event marking the 70-year anniversary of D-Day in France, Bernard had other ideas.
The Great Escaper, a new film starring Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson, is the moving story of a Second World War veteran’s last hurrah. The writer of the film, William Ivory, shares his thoughts on the events that inspired the movie. And offers his view on why Bernard and his wife, Rene, left their entire estate to the RNLI.
Watch the trailer for The Great Escaper here or visit thegreatescaper.film
Learn more about the RNLI's extraordinary efforts in the Second World War in a special episode of Saving Lives at Sea, presented by Dermot O'Leary. Search Series 9: Episode 1 on BBC iPlayer or visit https://tinyurl.com/4cryn54u
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 
 

49. Never Alone: Barry Gourlay

The three ‘T’s: The Anstruther RNLI volunteer on why saving lives is about teamwork, training and trust
In the early hours of 1 August 2012, RNLI crew member Barry Gourlay’s pager went off, alerting him to two men whose boat was being battered against rocks in rough seas.
In this dramatic rescue, for which Barry was awarded a Bronze Medal for Gallantry, teamwork was vital. Hear how the crew worked together in wild weather and pitch darkness – and why mutual trust is key.   
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   

48. Storms and Teacups: Mary McAleese

When the sea swells, Mary McAleese’s admiration for lifeboat volunteers swells with it. Ireland’s former president talks duvet days and bucket lists
If Mary McAleese could have her life over again, being part of the RNLI would be on her wish list. Discover why her visits to RNLI lifeboat stations are entrenched in her mind. And hear about Mary’s respect for the courageous crews who go up against the worst the weather can throw at them.
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   
 

47. Unswerving Loyalty: Thomas Cocking

For most of the RNLI’s existence, a member of the Cocking family has been in it – sometimes paying the ultimate sacrifice
The RNLI has been at the heart of the Cocking family for over 150 years. In 1939, tragedy stuck the family when former St Ives Coxswain Thomas Cocking’s great-grandfather perished at sea, along with the great-grandfather’s son and son-in-law. Despite this, the family’s commitment to the RNLI continued.
In this archive recording, Thomas talks about the strong RNLI family tradition that has saved countless lives.
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   

46. The Outer Limits: Dr. Marion Broderick

The Aran Islands doctor on the challenges of saving lives in a remote place
Retired GP Dr Marion Broderick has been the RNLI’s Lifeboat Medical Officer on Inis Mór for 40 years. Marion opens up about the dangers of transferring patients from the islands to the mainland in atrocious conditions, and highlights the lifeboat crew’s pivotal role in helping to guarantee patients’ safety come what may, night and day.
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   

45. Turning the Tide: Alice Dearing

Team GB’s first black female Olympian swimmer on the sport that can save your life
95% of black adults and 80% of black children in England don’t swim. The co-founder of The Black Swimming Association, Alice Dearing, is on a mission to change that. Hear why seeing people take their first few steps into water, often fighting deep-seated fears, sometimes moves her to tears. 
200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   
Interview by the RNLI’s Rory Stamp
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   

44. The Man Behind the Bucket: David Crowden

Meet the man who has been fundraising for the RNLI for 62 years. At 80, why does he still do it?
When a London Lifeboat Week fundraiser knocked on the door of the Crowden family home, David Crowden’s mother volunteered her 17-year-old son’s services before David could say a word. Hear why it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to fundraising for the RNLI – and why he’ll never stop.
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   

43. Groundbreaker: Ella Du Breuil

Chiswick volunteer and Antarctic explorer Ella Du Breuil on becoming the youngest female helm at just 18
Since she was knee-high to a bee, Ella Du Breuil was always interested in boats. From a young age, Ella was set on joining the RNLI, and by 18 had become the charity’s youngest female helm.
Her sense of adventure didn’t stop there however, and Ella went on to become the Boating Officer for the British Antarctic Survey. Hear her reflections on a groundbreaking – and icebreaking – career.
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   

42. Action Stations: Duncan Barbour

Whether he’s co-ordinating Hollywood chase sequences or launching a lifeboat, Duncan Barbour is no stranger to action 
Behind every dependable lifeboat crew there’s a dependable shore crew. A launch couldn’t happen without total teamwork, says North Berwick RNLI shore crew member, Duncan Barbour.  
Hear how Duncan’s precision-driving work on films such as Braveheart, Goldeneye and Gladiator has put him in good stead when it comes to driving North Berwick’s launch vehicle. Whether he’s driving a tracking vehicle on location or the station’s tractor on the beach, Duncan is used to expecting the unexpected. 
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      

41. Born to Save: Salim Mohammad

The lifeguard saved by lifeguarding – a Bangladesh lifesaver reveals the impact of the RNLI’s work in Cox’s Bazar
With more than 120km of unbroken sands, Cox’s Bazar is home to the world’s longest beach. Water is everywhere in Bangladesh, and every day, 40 children drown there.
RNLI-trained lifeguard Salim Mohammad talks about what inspired him to help save lives in a country where children are frequently only steps away from danger. And he explains why lifeguarding has made a positive impact not only on the locals and tourists of Cox’s Bazar, but also on himself and his family.
In 2012, CIPRB teamed up with the RNLI to start Bangladesh’s first lifeguard service – the SeaSafe project – so people like Salim can help keep locals and visitors to Cox’s Bazar Beach safe. Watch this video to discover how the project has grown and the lifesaving impact it’s making.
200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   
Interview by the RNLI's Rory Stamp
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