Lizzie relishes new role of helm at Fleetwood RNLI

And she didn't have long to wait in the new post after being called out to the assistance of a worried dog owner on New Year's Day.

The 31 year old qualified as one of seven helms at Fleetwood just before Christmas and relishes the responsibility of managing and decision-making that goes with the Lifeboat role.

Her main motivation for joining the service eight years ago was the opportunity to help people, often in challenging situations.

In the midst of winter, with the cold wind blowing, it may not be everyone's idea of enjoyment to get out in a boat, but the Lifeboat crews enjoy their vital role and the new helm explains why.

Lizzie, of Agnew Road, Fleetwood, said: "You are with a great group of people who are all looking out for each other and for other people as well.

"You're able to help people when they are really struggling - it could be sailors out in a boat with mechanical problems who are at risk of sinking, or it could people who have dark thoughts and put themselves in danger.

"And on New Year's Day we went to help a dog owner who was about to try and rescue their dog from the sea. Thankfully the dog had got back on shore by the time we arrived!

"It's one of the most worthwhile and rewarding things I've done and becoming a helm seemed like the next step."

Lizzie, originally from Wigan, became interested in joining the RNLI when she was a student at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, as some of the course leaders had links to the lifesaving service, and she now works as a navigation tutor at the college.

After joining as a crew member she underwent navigational training with the both the service's main all-weather vessel, Kenneth James Pierpoint, ,and then the inshore vessel.

Lizzie's partner, Ian Ellarby, has a deep understanding of her role with Fleetwood Lifeboat for a good reason - he's a coxswain with the service.

The Covid pandemic has certainly made things harder - Lizzie was supposed to be passed out as a helm in the Spring but the outbreak caused major delays.

She is keen to encourage people to support the RNLI with donations, as the charity took a serious hit in 2020, like many other self-funding organisations.

She said: "The RNLI is not supported by the Government so it relies on donations and fundraisers.

"We get a lot of support in Fleetwood, they love the RNLI, but Covid has hit us with funding too.

"At our station we couldn't hold our biggest fundraising event, Fleetwood Lifebot Day, last summer because of the lockdown so we really missed out on funding ad so did most other stations."

For details on supporting the charity visit www.rnli.org