RNLI founder Sir William Hillary commemorated as bicentenary year commences
The annual Service of Commemoration for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Founder, Sir William Hillary, took place at St George’s Church, Douglas on Sunday 7 January as the lifesaving charity welcomes the start of a very special bicentenary year.
Isle of Man resident Sir William Hillary, who witnessed a number of shipwrecks off the Manx coast and was involved in many rescue efforts with the help of local people, founded the lifeboat charity in 1824.
The annual Service of Commemoration in Douglas always takes place in early January with both Sir William Hillary’s birthdate (4 January 1771) and the day he died (5 January 1847) falling in the first week of the month.
The service will took place at 3pm at St George’s Church, Douglas and afterwards, RNLI Chief Executive Mark Dowie will laid a wreath on Sir William's tomb in the churchyard on behalf of RNLI President, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent.
Mark said: ‘Sunday’s service was an especially poignant moment for the Isle of Man as we collectively reflect on our founder’s accomplishments 200 years ago; commemorate all those who have selflessly given their lives to help save others and freely given their time, energy, and passion for our cause; and celebrate the achievements of today’s crew, volunteers, communities, and supporters.
‘It was an honour to be in the Isle of Man as Chief Executive of this unique charity powered by a team of passionate, talented and kind volunteers and staff as we start the commemorations for our 200th anniversary.
‘These volunteers include the RNLI’s longest-serving seagoing crewmember, Mike Keggen, Coxswain of Port St Mary who I was delighted to see recognised in His Majesty The King’s New Years Honours list last week.
‘Thank you to all our volunteers here on the Isle of Man who give their time so generously as the RNLI strives to save every one.’
The charity has a remarkable 200-year story to tell which all began on the Isle of Man. The RNLI officially celebrates its 200th birthday on 4 March and throughout 2024 there is a huge range of activity taking place in the Isle of Man, and more widely across the UK and Ireland to remember the charity’s history, celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.
Allen Corlett, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Peel Lifeboat Station and Chair of the Isle of Man 200th Anniversary Panel said:
‘2024 is an exciting time for every person that makes up the RNLI’s one crew, and it feels particularly special for us here in the Isle of Man, the birthplace of the charity.
‘The annual service to commemorate our Founder, Sir William Hillary, feels like the perfect way to mark the start of this historic year and we hope to inspire a whole new generation of lifesavers and supporters to continue this lifesaving legacy for the next 200 years.’
A special RNLI 200 stamp collection has recently been launched by the Isle of Man Post Office in collaboration with the charity. The award-winning Fynoderee Distillery have a fundraising partnership with the RNLI and have created a Coastal Collection of Spirits to mark the 200th anniversary.
Other Manx activity includes a partnership with Visit Isle of Man launching next month with a new map and trail highlighting the Isle of Man's role as the birthplace of the charity, and the RNLI will be a part of a new exhibition at Manx National Heritage’s House of Manannan in Peel highlighting its historic connection to the island.
In the early 19th century, there was an average of 1,800 shipwrecks a year around our coasts. Rescue services did exist in some places, but the danger of shipwreck was an accepted way of life at sea. Hillary, however, wanted to take action.
On 28 February 1823, he made an appeal to the nation. He published a pamphlet detailing his plans for a national lifeboat service manned by trained crews. He sent it to the Royal Navy, ministers and prominent citizens, appealing for the formation of a National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck. This approach did not have the desired result, but he didn’t give up. Instead, he rebranded his appeal for the more philanthropic members of London society. And this time it worked.
Over 30 gentlemen put their names to the fledgling charity at the inaugural public meeting. Vice-president and Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Charles Manners-Sutton, presided over the meeting of aristocrats, clerics, politicians, naval officers, brokers, bankers, merchants and philanthropists.
The crowd unanimously passed 12 resolutions, including:
‘That an Institution can now be formed … to be supported by donations and annual subscriptions.
‘That such immediate assistance be afforded to persons rescued as their necessities may require.
‘That the subjects of all nations be equally objects of the Institution, as well in war as in peace [and] that medallions or pecuniary rewards be given to those who rescue lives …’
Little did they know that the resolutions would still stand as part of the RNLI’s charter almost 200 years later.
The RNLI has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives.
From triumphs to tragedies; from oar-powered boats to the modern boats used today; from running domestic impactful drowning prevention campaigns to working with others overseas. The charity is saving more lives, in more ways, in more places than ever before.
Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially trained volunteers, the RNLI is a truly unique rescue organisation.
For more information on the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, or to donate, visit RNLI.org/200.
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.