Representatives from Scarborough RNLI attend Service of Thanksgiving

Representatives from Scarborough RNLI joined fellow volunteers from the UK and Ireland at the service of thanksgiving.

The service was presided by the The Very Revd Dominic Barrington, Dean of York.

RNLI volunteer afloat mechanic Nick Gough, together with inshore lifeboat helm Adam Sheader and after safety delivery support and Scarborough crew Dan Bedwell, helped greet over 800 volunteer fundraisers, sea safety advisors, lifeboat crew members and lifeguards who had travelled to York.

At the beginning of the service, the Scarborough volunteers named above, together with representatives from Redcar RNLI, were introduced to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI by Mark Dowie, Chief Executive of the RNLI.

Scarborough RNLI also had 10 other volunteers who attended the service including the Chairman, all-weather lifeboat navigator and helm, all-weather lifeboat crew, three head launch crew and drivers and four shop volunteers.

Afloat Mechanic Nick Gough said: ‘It was an honour and I was extremely proud to greet the volunteers who attended and to be introduced to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, who has been the President of the RNLI for many years and has a keen interest in the work of all its volunteers.

‘Scarborough lifeboat station is a fairly new station but its walls are filled with history going back to 1801 when the crews pulled the boats by hand into and across the sea.

‘The service not only celebrated the last 200 years of the RNLI, it also commemorated the many volunteers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while trying to save the lives of others.’

Scarborough Lifeboat Chair, Colin Woodhead said: ‘It was a Honour and a pleasure to be present at York Minster to see so many people attending this moving service to recognise the work of the RNLI and the part that Scarborough RNLI has played in saving lives at sea in our area over the years and will continue to do so in the future.’

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

Supporting the charity in its bicentenary year, Scarborough RNLI will be running events and activities to remember the charity’s important history and celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.’

Notes to editors

Scarborough lifeboat station has been operating since 1801. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Laura Lyth, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01723 360520 or [email protected] or Nick Gough RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07939025881 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.