Lifeboat volunteer inspires folk song

Anna Heslop became the first female helm at Cullercoats lifeboat station three years ago

A lifeboat volunteer is the subject of a new folk song celebrating her work.

Anna Heslop, 28, became the first female helm at the Cullercoats station in North Tyneside in 2021.

Folk artists Lady Nade and Boo Hewerdine wrote the song as part of BBC Radio 2's 21st Century Folk initiative.

The song, titled Anna, retells many of Ms Heslop's experiences with the RNLI.

"I was a little bit mortified when I found out the song was called Anna because it's not just about my story, there's so many to be told," she said.

"But it's an honour at the same time that mine has been captured in song."

'Kept saying lads or boys'

Ms Heslop got involved in the RNLI aged 17 after saving the life of a 14-year-old boy swept out to sea.

"I threw him a life ring and called 999. I wasn't sure what the coastguard was so I asked for the sea police.

"But they sent Cullercoats lifeboat round and had picked him up eight minutes after he hit the water.

"I was invited down to the lifeboat station. They kept saying 'lads' or 'boys' so I innocently asked if there were any girls and they said 'no', so I joined."

Ms Heslop is no longer the only female involved with the Cullercoats RNLI team

The teenager was the only woman in a team of 29 men, but more than a decade later she has inspired others and the team has just welcomed its 10th woman.

Radio 2's 21st Century Folk has commissioned five folk songs, all centred around a maritime theme this year.

Ms Heslop was chosen to inspire a song written by collaborating folk artists Lady Nade and Boo Hewerdine.

They decided to name the song after Ms Heslop and reference many of her experiences in the lyrics.

Praising her, Lady Nade said: "We wanted to write your name as the title of the song because of the amazing work you've done saving lives."