We were joined by local Girl Guides and RNLI volunteers on Rhyl Beach to create a large-scale sand art celebrating the courage and humanity of lifeboat crews who saved lives during the Second World War, whilst learning about the charity’s lifesaving water safety messages.
The striking 80m sand art was created on Rhyl Beach on Saturday (26 September) as part of the RNLI’s Stories of Courage 1939-45 project, which is uncovering and sharing stories connected to the charity’s lifesaving work during the Second World War.
Jamie and Dave travelled to Rhyl to work with the RNLI to create this sand drawing. The RNLI are a charity close to our hearts as we spend many days at the beach creating sand drawings and sculptures, the sea is always on our minds. We think the work that the RNLI do, voluntarily, to save people’s lives at sea without judgment is incredible.
The community event brought together members of St Asaph and Trefnant Girl Guides, Henllan Girl Guides, RNLI volunteers and members of the public, who worked to create the large-scale artwork.
Throughout the day, participants learned about the role of RNLI crews during the war, when volunteer lifeboat crews faced the dangers of bombs and gunfire alongside severe weather and challenging sea conditions. Between 1939 and 1945, RNLI crews launched 3,760 times and saved 6,376 lives.
As they helped create the artwork, the young people also explored inspiring wartime stories from the RNLI’s archives, including accounts of rescued aircrew and the contribution of the pioneering ‘Lady Launchers’, women who helped launch and recover lifeboats even during wartime conditions.
Jamie Wardley, from Sand In Your Eye, said: ‘Today we’ve been making a giant sand drawing to celebrate the work that the RNLI have done during the wartime years and the number of lives that they’ve saved, which I think is absolutely incredible.
‘It’s been wonderful because while we’re looking into the past, those children drawing in the sand today may need that helping hand from the RNLI in the future, and so might I. It’s rewarding to feel like we’re giving back to the incredible work of the charity’s volunteers from the past, in the present and the future.’
‘We focused on the wartime years and the work that the RNLI did in the war, when crews saved 6,376 lives, which is staggering. One of the beautiful things is that even though we were in conflict, the RNLI was saving lives of allies, but also combatants as well. Really it’s about humanity and that’s a wonderful thing.’
Tony, a volunteer from Rhyl RNLI’s Visits Team, said: ‘It’s an untold chapter that not many people think about. It’s not just talking about saving lives at sea, it’s also the crews lost. Not just the British, it was Germans as well that were rescued, which is a perfect example that a life at sea needs to be saved, regardless of where that person has come from.
‘The event is also teaching young people about that history and hopefully they will take something away from it.’
Alongside learning about RNLI heritage, participants also learned some of the charity’s most important water safety advice from RNLI volunteers. Lesley, Rhyl RNLI Water Safety Officer, said: ‘We’ve taken the opportunity today to also teach some of our water safety messaging, which is important for children to learn and remember.’
The event encouraged young people to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those involved in wartime rescues. Lola, one of the Girl Guides who took part in the activity, said: ‘A lot of them (RNLI volunteers) risked their lives to save other people and I think it’s a really good thing to learn.’
Alison Hulme, RNLI Heritage Project Officer, said: ‘One of the main aims of this project is to ensure these remarkable wartime stories continue to inspire future generations. It was wonderful to see so many young people getting involved at Rhyl, learning about the courage, sacrifice and humanity shown by RNLI volunteers during the Second World War, while creating such a striking piece of artwork.
‘We know there are many more stories still to be discovered, and we would love to hear from anyone with a family connection to an RNLI rescue or volunteer service during the war so we can help preserve those memories for the future.
