RNLI 200 Voices

132. Unwavering Commitment: Alex Barthe

He had a life-changing accident while surfing – but Alex’s RNLI training helped save his life
Working as a RNLI lifeguard in Scarborough, Alex was passionate about saving lives at sea and loved the water. But, on the 28 March 2013, while surfing on holiday in Argentina, he hit his head on the sea floor and was left face down in the water, unable to move his arms or legs.
He puts his survival down to two main factors: the man who first came to help him in the water – and his own RNLI training. He knew that he’d probably suffered a spinal injury and was able to instruct the people around him on what to do.
Alex, who suffered paralysis in most of his body, talks about how his vital lifesaving skills came into play that day. And about how now, as an office-based volunteer for the RNLI, his dedication to saving lives at sea continues today. 
200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   
Interview by the RNLI's Isobel Noctor
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   
 
 
 
 

131. Boxing Day Dip: Daniel Wanna

The first Boxing Day Dip at Southend’s Jubilee Beach attracted 87 people. Last year, there were 400. Daniel Wanna from RNLI Southend-on-Sea explains what makes folks swap the sofa for the surf
For some, the perfect Boxing Day is about a dip in the sea, followed by a hot drink and a mince pie on the beach. Daniel Wanna – Lifeboat Helm at Southend-on-Sea – talks about what draws a growing number to take the plunge in the annual Boxing Day Dip at Jubilee Beach. The event attracts all ages. Some don a wetsuit. Others prefer fancy dress. Daniel has braved the dip himself, but would he do it again?
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   
 
 

130. Christmas Vigil: Siobhan Murphy

The sea doesn’t take a day off – neither do the lifeguards at Crosby Beach. Siobhan Murphy explains why
Crosby Beach is unique, and in more ways than one. It’s the only beach patrolled by RNLI lifeguards 365 days a year. And on Christmas Day, Senior Lifeguard Siobhan Murphy will be one of them.
They’re kept busy by the tourists who come to see the 100 Antony Gormley sculptures – titled Another Place – that span the length of the beach. Siobhan explains the dangers that catch some visitors out. Dangers that mean the lifeguards – just like the army of statues looking out to sea – must keep vigil, day in, day out.
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   
 

129. Good Tidings: Dermot Ryan

Christmas 2021: paraglider Dermot Ryan explains why his best present was from Newhaven RNLI
It’s Christmas Eve, and paraglider Dermot has the scary realisation that he is about to swap the sky for the sea. After landing at the foot of a cliff with fellow paraglider, Trevor, both are soon cut off by the incoming tide.
Soaked by the crashing waves, Dermot’s body temperature plummets. Newhaven RNLI volunteers are tantalisingly close, but due to the conditions, can’t get close enough. Should Dermot follow Trevor into the water, or take his chances against the sea’s onslaught?
200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   
Interview by the RNLI's James Dwyer
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   

128. One Plus Eight: Martin Stephen

Martin Stephen has three sons and five grandchildren. He reveals why none of them would be here without the RNLI
Martin Stephen and his two younger cousins, Angus and Davy, loved visiting Dunbar Harbour. When the wind blew strong, they’d pull on their welly boots and head down to watch the water crash onto the rocks. But on 23 December 1970, their windy-day ritual was never to be the same again.
With the wind blowing gale force 10, Davy got caught by a freak wave. Martin jumped in to try to save him, but the water was too ferocious. With both of them in serious trouble, Angus raised the alarm. Shortly after, the Dunbar lifeboat crew arrived and hauled Martin out of the sea. But tragically, Davy was never found.
Fifty-three years on, Martin recalls the terrifying moment when he thought he was going to die, and how this – and Davy’s passing – helped him to appreciate the simplicities of life: health, happiness, and family. He also explains how his rescue led to a career in helping other people – just as the volunteers helped him.
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   

127. Voice of the Sea: Tom MacSweeney

Ireland’s voice of the sea – Tom MacSweeney – on the crew member who made the ultimate sacrifice on Christmas Eve 
It was a false alarm with tragic consequences. Tom MacSweeney – maritime journalist and former presenter of RTE’s radio show, Seascapes – tells the story of what happened when RNLI Kilmore Quay volunteers left their loved ones on Christmas Eve 1977 to respond to a call out in their lifeboat, Lady Murphy.
200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   
Interview by the RNLI's Darren Crew
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   

126. Full Circle: Tom McGuire

It’s often said that the RNLI is a family. That’s certainly how former priest Tom McGuire feels – the Lough Ree Lifeboat Press Officer has even christened some of the crew 
When his wife spotted an advert for Lifeboat Press Officer at Lough Ree RNLI, Tom didn’t hesitate to volunteer. Having previously worked in the area as a priest, he was welcomed into the role by crew he’d married, christened, or played football with.  
With a career in broadcast journalism under his belt, Tom talks of his passion for telling the stories of the RNLI, and his deep understanding of the importance of the lifeboat to the community it supports.   
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   

125. Swim Safe: Ashley Jones

From the sea to Spaghetti Junction, Swim Safe’s Ashley Jones teaches children all over the UK to stay safe in and around open water  
Most children learn to swim in an indoor pool, but swimming in open water is very different – and it's often when accidents happen. That’s why Swim England and the RNLI partnered to form the Swim Safe programme, which delivers fun and free water safety sessions to children at inland and coastal locations.  
Heading up the campaign, Ashley Jones shares top tips to help children stay safe in and around open water – and how ultimately, those messages have helped save 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   

124. Solomon Browne: Seth Lakeman

Folk singer Seth Lakeman on what inspired him to write the song Solomon Browne in tribute to the Penlee lifeboat crew lost at sea
Seth Lakeman grew up surrounded by remarkable stories – whether that be through his father’s career as a journalist, or spending weekends with his family immersed in music at local folk clubs. It was his passion for great stories – and tunes from the folk music community – that inspired his career as a singer-songwriter.
Hear Seth talk about how he came to write Solomon Browne – a special song dedicated to those sadly lost in the Penlee lifeboat disaster on 19 December 1981 – and find out how friends from throughout his life have brought him even closer to the RNLI’s lifesaving cause.
One of the crew members sadly lost was Stephen Madron. In another episode from our 200 Voices series, Stephen's wife Janet Madron shares her deeply personal account of the Penlee tragedy, and why she still loves being an RNLI volunteer. Listen to Janet's podcast episode to hear her story.
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   

123. Cornish to the Core: Helen Glover

She’s admired for being a history-making Olympian, but Helen Glover’s own admiration goes to RNLI crews. The Cornish rower explains why
Having lived by the sea in Cornwall all her life, Olympic rower Helen Glover has loved the water for as long as she can remember. So it's no surprise that she's long admired the RNLI crews that put their lives on the line to save others. In particular, she singles out the volunteers from Penzance – where Helen grew up – who were tragically lost in the 1981 Penlee lifeboat disaster.
In this episode, hear Helen explain why she has so much respect for the selfless RNLI volunteers. And find out which moment during her London 2012 Olympics journey was the most special.
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