Lifesaving is not just about pulling people out of the water. Saving lives by changing the attitudes and behaviour of children and young people has always played a vital role in the RNLI’s work.

As early as 1860 the Life-boat journal recorded ‘A hint to parents’ about the importance of children (both boys and girls) learning to swim. By the early 1900s the charity was working with education authorities to engage children to write about subjects such as ‘Why does our country need a life-boat service?’ as part of an annual lifeboat essay competition. The winner’s charity shield became a much sought-after prize!

In 1966, the RNLI collaborated with the iconic children’s TV programme Blue Peter to run an appeal for a lifeboat. Viewers went on to fund 1 all-weather and 25 inshore lifeboats, helping to save 1,068 lives so far.

Today, the RNLI’s education managers, their volunteer teams, lifeboat stations and lifeguards all work with schools and youth groups to teach beach and water safety and to raise awareness of volunteering and fundraising. Young people, after all, will be the crews, lifeguards, engineers, trainers and supporters of tomorrow.