Blackpool RNLI day proves invaluable for local students

Students are shown how to deal with a potential drowning situation by a member of the RNLI Lifeboat team

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Uniformed Public Services students spent the day at the RNLI Blackpool Lifeboat Station, learning about the vital voluntary work carried out by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

With aspirations of one day serving their country in the police, fire or military services, the students were invited to RNLI Blackpool to meet face to face with the people who serve society on a voluntary basis.

The Blackpool team gave the Hopwood Hall College students a tour of their facilities, as well as the equipment and techniques they use to save lives on a daily basis.

This included tours of the lifeboat fleet and a real life role play of the RNLI Blackpool team saving a member of the public from drowning.

“It was an eye opening experience to see and hear how much the volunteers give the RNLI and how important it is to the country that they do,” said Level 3 UPS student, Annalise Steward.

“The Blackpool staff were really good teachers for the day.

"They definitely made me realise that although we have statutory services like the military, HM coastguard and fire service, we still rely heavily on the goodwill and hard work of volunteers to help keep us all safe.”

The experience had a similarly profound effect on the other Hopwood Hall College students in attendance.

Level 3 UPS student James Chadwick said of his first impressions on the RNLI: “It amazes me that the people we met today risk their lives for free, just to help others.

"Everybody is guilty of complaining about their day to day life at work, but these guys risk everything they have just to help people, I think that’s quite an inspiring act.

“The dedication the team showed to their roles helped me to understand how much I will need to give, should I want to work in one of the country’s statutory services as a career.

"It’s been a really good learning experience and I would like to thank the Blackpool team for that.”