Video: Seth Lakeman & Fisherman’s Friends perform ‘Brave Volunteers’ to
Al Kassim, the man who inspired it. Recorded in St. James the Great Church,
St. Kew, Cornwall. Produced by 7digital for the BBC.

Fisherman’s Friends (which includes accordionist Jason Nicholas), were honoured to have been asked to write a song for the BBC Radio 2 initiative; 21st Century Folk.

“It shines the spotlight on folk music by celebrating in song the inspiring
real-life stories of five listeners from across the UK and this year those
whose lives are entwined with the sea.”

The group collaborated with Seth Lakeman on a song called ‘Brave Volunteers’.

The song tells the true story of Al Kassim, who was rescued by the
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) off the coast of Portsmouth.
He now volunteers at the Tower Lifeboat Station on the river Thames,
which is the busiest RNLI station in the country!

The RNLI marked its 200th anniversary in 2024.