A mother, whose son drowned in Kingston upon Thames, is to feature on the RNLI's new 200 Voices podcast this month. 

Andrea Corrie will be telling listeners about her support for the RNLI Respect the Water campaign following James's death by drowning in the Thames in July 2005. 

This also led her to write Into the Mourning Light and Living in the Mourning Light, books about grief and loss which have brought comfort to many others. 

Ms Corrie said: "One of the most seminal and important things I discovered working with the RNLI was the importance of importance of sharing personal stories because of the way it gets the message across and plants it in people's minds, I think."

After her book was published, a helmsman from Teddington lifeboat reached out and asked if Ms Corrie would like to become involved with the RNLI's Respect the Water campaign in 2014

The RNLI's new 200 Voices podcast launched on Friday 18 August 2023 and, in the run-up to the charity's bicentenary on 4 March 2024, an episode is released every day for 200 days, exploring captivating stories from the charity's history, through to today. 

The charity has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives. 

Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially-trained volunteers, the RNLI is a unique rescue organisation with a remarkable 200-year story to tell – many highlights of which are shared through the podcast series. 

Available across all podcast platforms and the RNLI's website, listeners can hear from survivors, supporters, volunteers, lifeguards, celebrity ambassadors, historians and many more from across the UK and Ireland – and beyond. 

The 200 Voices series also includes celebrity ambassadors such as The Sixth Commandment actor Timothy Spall, Gavin and Stacey actor, Ruth Jones, Irish musician Phil Coulter, gold medal Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie and BAFTA-winning actor, Joanna Scanlan. 

RNLI Strategic Content Manager, Rory Stamp said: "We knew we had to do something really special to mark the RNLI's 200th anniversary, which is such a monumental milestone. 

"200 Voices is an incredible collection of stories that are emotive, powerful, inspiring and heart-warming. The series gives us a chance to hear from a whole variety of amazing people who have played a part in or been touched by our lifesaving charity. 

'"200 Voices is the first in a programme of activity planned to mark the RNLI's bicentenary as we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, remember our remarkable history and aim to inspire the future generations of lifesavers and supporters as we move through into the next 200 years." 

Launch into a podcast like no other: Listen to the RNLI's 200 Voices daily wherever you get your podcasts or at https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024/200-voices.