Local schools help celebrate the RNLI's 200th Anniversary

Pupils from the Blyth Valley area were invited to design posters to celebrate the RNLI's 200th Anniversary and these could represent the RNLI from the past, present or the future.

Well over 200 entries were collected from Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2 pupils and the judging took place at Blyth Lifeboat Station by a team of RNLI volunteers.

The entries were narrowed down to provide eight group winners.

It was then up to the judges to find the finalists from the eight group winners.

All eight group winners received a special RNLI group certificate and RNLI badge.

First prize was to have their entries enlarged and displayed outside the lifeboat station.

The four finalists received a further RNLI certificate, met and had a photograph taken with the crew, watched the station's two lifeboats launch on exercise and received a RNLI shop voucher.

Marj Darlison, Treasurer and member of the RNLI Ladies Guild, who invited and liaised with the local schools said; 'I was so pleased to hear how all the children enjoyed thinking about what they would draw. When they came down to the lifeboat station they were so excited to see their drawings on display, meet the volunteer crew and see the lifeboats launch on exercise.'

Terry Healy, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said 'We want the local community to join with us and celebrate the RNLI's 200th Anniversary. The posters that the school children designed were fantastic.It was a pleasure to host the winners at the lifeboat station and present them with their certificates.We hoped they enjoyed their morning with us'

One of the group winners Nancy Walker from New Hartley,even gave her pocket money as a donation, such an amazing gesture of kindness, and proof of why the RNLI can celebrate being 200 years old.

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the schools and pupils that took part in the competition.

Further events to celebrate the RNLI's Bi-Centenary are planned by the lifeboat Station at Blyth and details will be given on their social media channels and local media.

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please telephone Robin Palmer, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07801 290638 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer (North and East) on 07824 518641 or [email protected] 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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.