200 Years, One RNLI

A new podcast detailing the history and people of the RNLI launches today, with the first episode focussed on the Isle of Man.

In the run-up to the charity’s bicentenary on 4 March 2024, an episode will be released every day for 200 days exploring captivating stories from the charity’s history and through to the current day.

The first episode Launching an Institution is narrated by Douglas RNLI Coxswain, Edd Christian. Edd takes us back to 1824 where it all started with Sir William Hillary laying the foundations for what is now the RNLI. Edd also talks about what the charity means to the island and its people – and how being a part of the lifesaving charity has personally shaped his life.

The charity has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives. Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially-trained volunteers, the RNLI is a truly unique rescue organisation with an incredible 200-year story to tell – many highlights of which are shared through the podcast series.

The series will also hear from celebrity ambassadors such as The Sixth Commandment actorTimothy Spall, Gavin and Stacey actress Ruth Jones, Irish musician Phil Coulter, gold-medal Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie and BAFTA-winning actress Joanna Scanlan.

As well as celebrity ambassadors you’ll hear from people connected to the RNLI and those whose lives have been touched by the lifesaving charity. Hear from locals with a special kinship to their lifeboat station, a crew member who’s been on service for a generation, or the family of someone rescued by an RNLI frontline lifesaver – each episode is sure to take the listener on a journey through a touching story.

Available across all podcast platforms and the RNLI’s website, listeners can hear from survivors, supporters, volunteers, lifeguards, celebrity ambassadors, historians and many more from the Isle of Man, UK, Ireland and beyond.

RNLI Strategic Content Manager, Rory Stamp said: ‘We knew we had to do something really special to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, which is such a monumental milestone.

‘200 Voices is an incredible collection of stories that are emotive, powerful, inspiring and heart-warming. The series gives us a chance to hear from a whole variety of amazing people who have played a part in or been touched by our lifesaving charity.

‘200 Voices is the first in a programme of activity planned to mark the RNLI’s bicentenary as we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, remember our remarkable history and aim to inspire the future generations of lifesavers and supporters as we move through into the next 200 years.’

Launch into a podcast like no other: Listen to the RNLI’s 200 Voices daily, launching on Friday 18 August, wherever you get your podcasts or at RNLI.org/200Voices.