They have helped Harry Potter out of a few scrapes on the big screen – but what real lifesaving antics have cinema’s favourite twins been getting up to?

Filmgoers have been under Harry Potter’s spell for years – the film franchise has smashed box office records around the globe. Two faces particularly familiar to fans of the magical movies are the real-life twin brothers James and Oliver Phelps, who played Fred and George Weasley in all seven instalments. Between acting commitments, James and Oliver set out on some enchanting adventures of their own: they have whizzed across Europe in a car rally, tackled towering mountains, and sailed racing yachts around the Isle of Wight. As well as being in the name of fun, it’s also been in aid of the RNLI.

‘I think a lot of people our age and younger assume things like lifeboats and lifeguards are funded by the Government, and that the RNLI and the Coastguard are all in the same boat, as it were,’ says James, 26 (pictured far right), his brother (pictured on the left) nodding enthusiastically. ‘But when we realised, “no, it’s a charity”, you want to (a) tell other people and (b) give your support.’

That’s exactly what the Phelps twins have done since 2009, when the sailing novices stepped aboard a racing yacht with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and competed in a Cowes Regatta race in aid of the RNLI. ‘There was no wind so we had periods of not being able to do much,’ recalls James. ‘So Sir Robin was telling us stories about sailing the globe, which was phenomenal.’

In the following year, the twins entered the same race with Steve White, another celebrated solo global sailor. ‘I think we must be a jinx, because we ended up nearer France than the Isle of Wight at one point,’ laughs Oliver.

Whether treading the boards with sailing greats or Hollywood stars, James and Oliver have always found their feet quickly. They had no professional acting experience before they were cast as Fred and George Weasley 12 years ago.

‘We weren’t at drama school or anything – we were just doing a few plays at comprehensive school.  And then we heard about these open auditions for thefilm where they needed twins around our age. And they liked us,’ grins Oliver. The then 14-year-olds were transported into a new world: they were sharing scenes with celebrated actors such as Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Julie Walters and Michael Gambon. ‘We learned a lot,’ adds Oliver. ‘You’d find yourself asking Gary Oldman how to act in a certain situation, and he’d show you.' 

The twins formed a close friendship with Rupert Grint, who played their on-screen brother, Ron – and he joined them for another RNLI adventure: the Wacky Rally. Their mission was to buy and equip a car for less than £250 and take it to Barcelona, raising RNLI awareness and sponsorship along the way. ‘I managed to get a 1992 Vauxhall Carlton for £60 and then painted it to look like a lifeboat,’ explains Oliver. ‘And that was one of the times when I realised how the RNLI affects so many people. I went to this firm in the Midlands to get some vinyl stickers for the car. And when the guy there found out what cause we were doing it for, he said there was no charge, because the RNLI had saved his life when he was 5.’

Having sailed and motored in aid of the RNLI, last year Oliver prepared for a triple challenge entirely under his own steam. The Three Peaks Challenge involves scaling the highest mountains of England, Wales and Scotland in 24 hours: Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis. James joined Oliver for the journey, raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

After 23 hours and very little sleep, the twins reached the summit of Scafell. ‘That was a great moment. It was tough at times, but the thought of the people who were supporting us online and the good work the money would do really kept me going,’ says Oliver.

Thousands of pounds have been raised to equip and train RNLI lifesavers thanks to Oliver and James. And you can’t put a price on the way they have promoted the charity to young people. They have an army of fans who have followed their fundraising exploits – thousands of people who may otherwise not appreciate the RNLI’s work. The RNLI even gets a mention in an extra featurette on one of the Harry Potter DVDs – a product purchased by millions. ‘It’s really good to get the message across, because it’s still something that I’m in awe of,’ says James. ‘We’ve met lifeboat crew in Dover and Cowes, lifeguards in Cornwall, and they are all unsung heroes. Everyone should know about what they do.’