RNLI 200 Voices

180. Picture This: David Constant

The RNLI’s Artwork Manager reveals the painstaking work that goes into colourising the charity’s archive photos, and reveals the stories behind three of them
Extraordinary stories from ordinary people deserve to be remembered. And 200 Voices is one way in which the RNLI is ensuring that these stories are not forgotten. But it’s not the only way. David Constant leads the RNLI's Artwork team - who usually lay out the charity's communications and campaigns and prepare them for print. But with a big anniversary on the horizon, he faced a new kind of task.
Over 2 centuries, the RNLI has amassed quite a photographic collection. In this episode, David shares the stories behind some of these archive images and explains the careful process that goes into colourising them as part of the charity’s bicentenary activity.
View the lovingly restored images discussed in this episode at RNLI.org/BirthdayPhotos
A photographic exhibition celebrating the vital role that women have played in saving lives at sea runs 2 March–1 December 2024 at the National Maritime Museum, London. Women of the RNLI showcases images captured using Victorian glass-plate technology, and is the work of Jack Lowe. 
To listen to Jack Lowe's 200 Voices interview, search episode 192: Talking Pictures
200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   
Interview by the RNLI's Eleanor Driscoll
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   

179. Pride and Peril: Mike Picknett

From polishing the lifeboat station brass as a child, to seeing his own son join the crew, Mike Picknett’s connection to the RNLI is lifelong 
Man and boy – and beyond. That’s the way to describe Mike Picknett’s service with the RNLI. Currently Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar Lifeboat Station, Mike was sweeping the lifeboat station floor at the tender age of nine, and his family’s connection with the lifeboat goes back generations. 
Mike recalls his work with the flood rescue team - rescuing families from homes which were about to collapse, navigating flooded streets and not knowing what hazards were under the water. He also shares how it feels to watch his son go out on a shout: a combination of wishing he was there himself - and fatherly concern.  
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   

178. Running Through Grief: Terri Peay

After losing her brother to the sea in 2020, Terri Peay is taking on a 200km challenge on behalf of the RNLI, which helped her family in an hour of need 
Exercise as therapy is a strategy many of us are familiar with – and it’s her passion for running that helps Terri Peay cope with the death of her brother, Dan, whose body was recovered from the sea by the RNLI. 
Determined to give something back to the organisation that brought her brother home to rest, Terri is running the London marathon as part of an incredible 200km challenge on behalf of the charity. 
In this moving episode, Terri talks about her treasured memories of Dan, the tough times she’s faced during training and how she’s trying to find light through darkness. 
You can support Terri’s 200km challenge at https://www.justgiving.com/page/terris-200km-rnli 
Terri is an illustrator and is kindly donating 50% of profits on some of her homewares to the RNLI at terripeay.com 
200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   
Interview by the RNLI's Amy Bratley
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   

177. A Welcome Sight: Simon Chrisp

When Evan Chrisp was pulled out to sea by a rip current his father feared for his son’s life – but a simple, powerful message Evan had seen at the cinema helped save him 
It was every parent’s nightmare. Simon Chrisp had taken his son Evan and a group of his friends to the beach when disaster struck. Simon recalls the moment he realised Evan was in grave danger in the sea and recounts the turmoil he endured, fighting his instinct to jump in and try to rescue his son himself. 
Unbeknownst to Simon, Evan had seen the RNLI’s Float to Live advert just days before. Simon talks about the phenomenal impact of the water safety campaign – and the pure relief he felt when the RNLI lifeboat returned Evan to shore.
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   

176. David Freeman on a Sole Survivor

In 1861, all but one of the RNLI Whitby crew died when their lifeboat capsized. David Freeman reveals what saved his ancestor, Henry Freeman 
In Whitby, they’re planning to add a new statue to the Whitby Sculpture Trail – a series that depicts notable figures in homage to the heritage and history of the town. The new sculpture – part of a planned RNLI-themed garden – will be of a silver-medal-winning RNLI lifesaver by the name of Henry Freeman.  
When his lifeboat capsized in a storm, Henry was the sole survivor, thanks to something he was wearing that the other 12 crew members were not. It was a new-fangled invention – a lifejacket made of cork. David Freeman, Lifeboat Operations Manager at RNLI Flamborough, tells the story of his famous relative. 
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   

175. Making History: Anna Heslop

The first female helm in the 170-year history of RNLI Cullercoats, Anna Heslop has helped pave the way for other women to get onboard - including her mum  
Anna joined Cullercoats Lifeboat Station at 17, and for a while, was the only female at the station. Now, there are nine women involved, including Anna’s partner, Jane, and Anna’s mother, who is Lifeboat Operations Manager. 
Anna talks about her experience of being a female helm, and about how, in December 2022, the Cullercoats lifeboat launched with the first all-female crew – a proud moment for the station.   
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   

174. Friendly Neighbourhood Lifeboatman: Will Sliney

Sliney skills: The Spiderman illustrator on saving lives for real
Will Sliney is a man with a lot to live up to. In his day job as a graphic artist, he spends his time in the company of heroes such as Spider-Man. But the Marvel and Star Wars illustrator has an illustrious backstory himself. Will is a volunteer with the Ballycotton lifeboat crew, continuing a family tradition that dates back to at least great-grandfather Patsy Sliney, one of Ireland’s most decorated lifeboat volunteers.
Patsy was Coxswain during the exhausting 1936 Daunt Rock rescue, when a February storm ripped huge rocks from the quay and whipped up waves so mountainous that the spray flew over the top of the 59m lighthouse. The ensuing rescue of the eight men aboard the Comet is the stuff of legend. Fittingly, the crew’s heroic actions would go on to be depicted by artists.
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   
 

173. Ted Luckin on the Best of Them

Cromer veteran Ted Luckin BEM shares his memories of Henry Blogg, the RNLI’s most decorated lifesaver
The word ‘legend’ is often used lightly. But Henry Blogg truly was one. During 53 years’ service at Cromer, the RNLI’s most decorated crew member helped to save 873 lives. Former Cromer Helm Ted Luckin knew Henry, and in this episode he shares his memories of the man.
Over 6 decades, Ted has performed almost every role at the station, so is a bit of a legend himself. It all started when he was invited to join the crew by coxswains ‘Shrimp' Davis and ‘Tuna’ Harrison. After that, Ted never found himself more than 200 yards from the sea.
During the Second World War, Henry Blogg was kept busy. The Cromer lifeboat launched 150 times and saved 448 lives – more than any other. Learn more about the RNLI's extraordinary wartime efforts 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
Find out more about the life of RNLI legend Henry Blogg.
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   
 

172. The Mexico Mission: Eoin Bird

In 1914, nine Fethard volunteers lost their lives whilst saving others. Current Helm Eoin Bird on the family members who made the ultimate sacrifice
Selfless. Dependable. Trustworthy. Courageous. These are the values that RNLI crew members live by. And they were perhaps never more in evidence than in February 1914, when, in a vicious storm, Fethard volunteers went to the aid of the schooner, Mexico. What followed was an epic 3-day ordeal.
Present-day Fethard crew member Eoin Bird tells the story of what happened to the crew of the lifeboat, Helen Blake, shining a light on a disaster that remains one of the most tragic and courageous in RNLI history.
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    

171. Face to Face: John Connolly

Rain or shine, the RNLI’s face-to-face fundraisers are out talking to the public. John Connolly shares his experience of working on the front line - and a personal story of an RNLI rescue
John knows all too well the dangers of the sea. His son was once saved by a lifeguard in Cornwall, and that very same evening, John received the news that a close friend had been killed by a jet ski.
In this episode, the RNLI fundraiser talks about dealing with rejection and developing a thick skin. But also about surprising acts of generosity that warm him up on a cold day.
To learn more about face-to-face fundraising opportunities at the RNLI, search:
RNLI Face-To-Face Fundraising Jobs
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