Littlestone RNLI join thousands to commemorate 200 years of lifesaving

On March 4th Karen Crank and Lynne Cornwell were proud to represent Littlestone lifeboat station at Westminster Abbey alongside crews and fundraisers from across the UK and Ireland. Thousands of volunteers came together on this historic occasion to commemorate our past, celebrate our present and inspire our future.

At the service Mark Dowie, Chief Executive of the RNLI said, “I would like you to join me in commemorating all those who have selflessly given their lives to help save others and freely given their time, energy, and passion for our cause since 1824. On behalf of the whole RNLI family and the communities we serve, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those remarkable volunteers.

Let us also celebrate the achievements of today’s crew, volunteers, communities, and supporters. They provide a world-class lifesaving service, based on 200 years of learning, expertise and innovation. They are people of all ages, active all around and across our nations, from diverse backgrounds, united by the RNLI’s vision: to save every one we can.

This is a vision which depends on the lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond. So, as we thank all those who have gone before, it is our sincere hope that their achievements inspire a new generation of courageous, generous and selfless people who will continue to help save lives at sea.”

Matt Crittenden, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlestone lifeboat station, said:

‘It is humbling to reflect upon the fact that we are all links in a chain going back two hundred years. Over all those years our crews have been going to sea in all weathers to assist those in distress, whoever they are. When called upon our crews don’t know what they are responding to but they know someone needs help. Responding to people in peril at sea is what the RNLI has been doing for two centuries and that is something very special.

We will hold our own event on Saturday 9^th March to mark the 200^th anniversary to remember all our RNLI family, past and present- especially our three brave crew who gave their lives to help others in the Sandal Magna on 9^th March 1891.”

Since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews have launched the lifeboats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives, while its lifeguards – who became part of the RNLI’s lifesaving service in 2001 – have responded to 303,030 incidents on some of the UK’s busiest beaches, saving 2,000 lives*. In total, 146,277 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

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.

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.