Littlehampton RNLI join thousands to commemorate 200 years of lifesaving

The idea for the charity was formulated by Sir William Hillary. Living in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, Hillary witnessed many shipwrecks along the Manx coast and with the help of locals saved many lives that would otherwise have been lost. In February 1823 he published a pamphlet with his plans for a lifeboat service for the whole of the UK and Ireland appealing for a ‘National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck.’ With the support of two MPs benefactors were obtained and King George IV offered royal patronage. On 4 March 1824 at the London Tavern in Bishopsgate the fledgling RNLI was inaugurated.

Nick White, Jim Cosgrove, Cian Mathews, Lynne Stephens, Gill Partington, Ian Flack and Anthony Fogg attended the commemoration service at Westminster Abbey representing all those involved in lifeboat operations and fundraising at Littlehampton. The station’s history goes back to 1840 with records indicating 2,846 launches and 392 lives saved up to the end of 2023.

Those visiting the harbour on the east bank near Fisherman’s Quay will be greeted by a modern boathouse built in 2002 which is home to two inshore lifeboats named Ray of Hope (a D-Class single engine) and Renee Sherman (a B-Class twin engine). Several of the station’s lifeboats, now retired, were proud to carry the name Blue Peter I for fifty years from 1967 until 2017. Next to the boathouse is the RNLI shop and to commemorate the 200^th anniversary there is an exclusive range of items available for purchase that support the charity.

Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlehampton lifeboat station, said:

‘It was inspiring to witness so many of the charity’s volunteers gathered together to mark the bicentenary of the RNLI. Knowing that we are carrying on a two hundred year tradition of going to sea in all weathers to assist those in distress is humbling. Together with my colleagues from Littlehampton and RNLI volunteers from all points of the compass it has been an honour to commemorate 200 years of saving lives at sea; 200 years and counting.’

ENDS

RNLI media contacts

Anthony Fogg, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI 07823 509032 [email protected]

Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager – SE & London, RNLI 07724 801305 [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online

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

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information 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.