RNLI community celebrates 25 years of lifesaving

The RNLI's lifeguards are celebrating 25 years of their lifesaving work.

The charity said the teams had saved about 1,098 lives since they began patrolling beaches across the South West in 2001.

Friday is Lifeguard Appreciation Day on which the volunteer teams are being recognised for the impact they have made over the last 25 years.

The RNLI has marked the day by sharing stories of some of their teams' incidents, including the rescue of a windsurfer in trouble off Bantham beach by lifeguard Will Simmons.

Samuel Macpherson recalled how he was rescued by RNLI lifeguards when he had been windsurfing near Bigbury in south Devon.

He said: "Having gone windsurfing in very light winds, I found myself in a position where I was unable to return to the beach from the river mouth.

"I started wading and scrambling back but was cut off by the tide."

He said RNLI lifeguard Will Simmons, who had been on patrol at Bantham beach, had spotted him getting into deeper water, reached him and safely returned him and his equipment to shore.

The day is also designed to celebrate the history of the service.

Martin 'Mini' Fry has been a lifeguard in Bude, Cornwall, for 40 years and joined the RNLI in 2001.

He said: "I've been with the RNLI lifeguard service here in Bude since day one and it's incredible to see how far it's come."

Peter Dawes, RNLI lifeguard general manager, said: "Thanks to RNLI lifeguards our beaches are safer places, so we can enjoy our time at the coast and return home safely at the end of the day.

"Around 95% of a lifeguard's work is prevention, they keep beachgoers safe by educating them about water safety and spotting the dangers before accidents happen."

"If you are planning a visit to the coast this summer, please remember to visit a lifeguarded beach," he added.

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