An all-female lifeboat crew are preparing to tackle the Great River Race in London this weekend.

This weekend, volunteers from Beaumaris Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station are raising vital funds for the charity by taking part in the Great River Race in London. A dedicated team of female crew members from the station are raising money to mark the RNLI’s 200^th year of saving lives.

The 'Girls in the Boat' are all volunteers based at the RNLI's Beaumaris station, who will row along the Thames in a Celtic longboat from east to west London for 21.6 miles.

The nine-strong crew have already raised over £5,500 for the lifeboat charity as it celebrates its 200th anniversary.

They're being supported by actress Joanna Scanlan, whose sister-in-law, Stevie, is a crew member at Beaumaris and will be taking part in the challenge on Saturday.

Joanna, who is an RNLI ambassador, said: "You’re absolutely more likely to find me open water swimming than in a rowing boat but that’s very unlikely on the River Thames."

"Growing up on the Welsh coast, the RNLI has always been incredibly important to me, and they do amazing work in my adopted home of London."

"I’m proud that my life-long link to the RNLI includes family in Stevie, and she and the team have my total support, as a spectator. I will not be swimming alongside!"

Stevie Scanlan added: "As a proud female volunteer member of Beaumaris station, I’m delighted we’re coming together as one crew and heading down to London to represent Anglesey and the RNLI."

"What could be better than taking part in one of the biggest river races to commemorate the significant milestone of 200 years of saving lives at sea."

Joining Stevie in the crew are Gwen Beeken, Pippa Thomas, Cindy Styles, Giovanna Culeddu, Cheryl Owen, Eleanor Butler, Clare Tewson and Mandi Shipton - who are all newcomers to rowing.

Their fundraising target is £7,325 - with every ten pence symbolising each day the RNLI crews have been in action over the past 200 years.

To find out more about the challenge and to donate, visit the Girls in the Boat' Justgiving page.