Blyth RNLI lifeboat station celebrates RNLI’s 200th anniversary
On Monday (4 March 2024) the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers, like those at Blyth lifeboat station, giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations.
On the day the charity turned 200, the RNLI revealed its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 146,277 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving.
Blyth RNLI lifeboat station was founded in 1826 and in that time its crews have launched the lifeboats 1070 times and saved 441 lives.
A Service of Thanksgiving to mark 200 years of the RNLI took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 4 March. It was attended by representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities around the UK and Ireland, including Robin Palmer, Paul Whittle and Sarah Fraser from Blyth RNLI lifeboat station.
Robin Palmer from Blyth RNLI lifeboat station said:
‘The RNLI has been saving lives for 200 years; we’re the latest generation carrying on the lifesaving work which has been carried out by many generations before us.’
‘It was a privilege to represent Blyth RNLI at the service at Westminster Abbey on Monday and to be part of a very special occasion. I’m very proud to volunteer as a Helm at Blyth RNLI and to support the work of the charity in saving lives at sea.’
There was also a service held at the Central Methodist Church in Blyth led by the station’s Chaplain Den Harding on Sunday 3rd March. This was attend by the Mayor of Blyth together with other guests. The service celebrated the work of the RNLI both locally and nationally. A collection raised £423.18 which was donated to the charity together with a further £178.97 in shop sales.
Rev Den Harding said:
‘It was great to see so many people attend the service and to be able to recognise the work of the RNLI and the part that Blyth 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, Blyth 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.
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 33
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.