THE RNLI and Girlguiding North West England have teamed up to launch a challenge to celebrate the life-saving charity's 200th anniversary.

Aimed at Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers across the northwest, the water safety badge challenge is focused on four key safety messages provided by the RNLI. It is hoped this collaboration will help to spread vital information amongst a large audience of young people.

The badge is designed to expand the children’s understanding of water safety, to learn about the RNLI's heritage and to inspire future RNLI volunteers.

Rona Rommel, Girlguiding North West England’s Region chief commissioner said: "We are thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration between Girlguiding North West England and the RNLI in honour of their 200th anniversary.

"This partnership marks a significant milestone in our shared commitment to water safety education, particularly for young people and their families.

"In its 200th anniversary year, the RNLI continues to champion the importance of water safety as a cornerstone of its life-saving mission.

"With drowning prevention at the forefront, the collaboration between Girlguiding North West England and the RNLI underscores the critical role education plays in saving lives in, on, and around water.

"Educating young people and their families about water safety is fundamental to saving lives.

"As the RNLI's prevention work highlights, the more young people we can reach with water safety messages, the more lives that get saved now and in the future." 

Anthony Jones, the RNLI's water safety education manager said: "The RNLI are thrilled to work alongside Girlguiding North West England to create such an important resource.

"This pack was originally designed by the RNLI alongside Girlguiding South West England, we're very pleased that it has been adapted for our region.

"In order for the young people to achieve an RNLI 200 badge, they must learn about the work the RNLI has done over the last 200 years, what we do today to save lives at sea and the RNLI's four key safety messages for children - Stop and Think, Stay Together, Float and Call 999.

"I hope that in completing this challenge that many young people share the important safety information that they’ve learnt, and that they’re inspired to volunteer for the RNLI in the future."