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Paul CullenCelebrity Manager
Lifeboats News Release
TV royalty fly the flag for the RNLI at Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant
RNLI supporter and EastEnders star Steve McFadden was reunited with former on-screen mum Barbara Windsor as they joined the flotilla of boats taking part in the historic Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant on Sunday 3 June 2012. Celebrating the 60 year reign of Her Majesty The Queen, who is Patron of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Steve was also keen that the occasion demonstrated his commitment to the charity that saves lives at sea, by hoisting aloft a large RNLI flag aboard his 40ft Dutch barge Barbara. Participating in the Pageant did mean that Steve was unable to take part in this year’s RNLI Castle to Castle open water swim in Falmouth, Cornwall; an event which he has actively supported since its creation in 2009. Steve’s backing of and participation in the Castle to Castle swim saw the number of swimmers swell from a respectable 40 in the first year, to over 400 the following year. This annual event has now raised an incredible £87,000 for the RNLI in its 4 year history and Steve is looking forward to continuing its success by taking part again in 2013. Steve’s focus for 2012 was on a very different stretch of water and he was thrilled and honored to take his place with family and close friends, including his former co-star, on the River Thames. Steve McFadden says: ‘Being as keen a royalist as I am a sailor, I was pleased as Punch when I found out I had been accepted to take part in the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant. It was a fantastic experience to be part of history, and also to have my own Windsor aboard! Flying the RNLI flag was my way of recognising the brave and courageous volunteer lifeboat crews, knowing the great lifesaving work they do and the spirit they do it in whenever their pagers sound.’ Steve and Barbara can be seen preparing for the Pageant in a recent special souvenir edition of Hello! magazine who have, on Steve’s request, made a donation to the RNLI for the interview.
Notes to Editors Please find attached a photograph of Steve McFadden and Barbara Windsor onboard Steve’s Dutch Barge Barbara which took part in the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant (credit: Nicky Johnston/Hello!) RNLI media contacts Paul Cullen, Celebrity Manager 020 7620 7427 / 07979 516696 paul_cullen@rnli.org.uk
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0845 122 6999 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland
Our lifeboat crews launch 24 times a day on average. Find out which station has launched near you around the UK and Republic of Ireland. View shouts.
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