The women who risk their lives to help save others
THESE striking portraits capture the spirit of the female RNLI Porthcawl crew members who risk their lives to help others whatever the weather.
Among them is Aileen Jones, aged 61, who was the first-ever female crew member at Porthcawl and is now launch authority and tractor driver.
Awarded the MBE for gallantry in 2016, she has volunteered at the station for 30 years.
She said: “It took 13 years to get in and be allowed to join the crew, but 30 years on I’m so glad I persevered.”
Among her teammates are Dr Maria Cronjé, 52, lifeboat medical advisor, and sister of
Gavin & Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones.
Dr Cronjé has volunteered at the station for 12 years.
She said: “I became involved when my husband joined the crew and now my daughter Anousha is following in his footsteps.”
Anousha, 19, says she hopes to use the skills she’s learnt when she starts her studies as a medical student in September.
Trainee crew Amy Bridge, 34, started volunteering in September 2022 when her job became home-based during the pandemic.
Angharad Masson, 28, has volunteered at the station for five years. Her dad is the station chaplain and her mum volunteers at the gift shop.
Ruth Birch, 56, is tractor driver and shore crew and says the friendships she has made have been “life-changing”.
Siân Millan, 46, shore crew, became involved after bereavement. She said: “I love living by the sea and after losing a loved one I decided now was the time to give some of my time back to the local community and get involved in something so worthwhile.”