Seven Scarborough RNLI crew attended Westminster Abbey for RNLI 200th

The RNLI is a world class rescue operation powered by volunteers and as a charity it is funded by kind donations of supporters.

The RNLI marked its 200th anniversary of saving lives at sea, commemorating the One Crew that has made its core mission possible for two centuries with a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. It celebrated the elite lifesaving organisation and the 146,000 lives saved, whilst aiming to inspire new volunteers, donors and supporters for the next 200 years.

This once in a lifetime occasion was attended by representatives from across all of the RNLI and supporters including crew members from all 238 lifeboat stations and 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK and Ireland.

Scarborough RNLI had seven representatives attend the service: one lifeboat crew, one shore crew, four from the Scarborough Ladies Lifeboat Guild and the station's Lifeboat Press Officer (who are all volunteers for Scarborough RNLI).

Scarborough RNLI's volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Laura Lyth provided an account of her day:

‘As I am also a North and East region volunteer Water Safety Lead Facilitator, I spent the day with my counterpart who is from Cullercoats RNLI. As soon as we arrived outside Westminster Abbey at 9:15am, the atmosphere was happy and full of celebration.

'Representatives from across the RNLI were getting along as thought we had known each other for a lifetime, swapping stories of where we were from, our roles within the RNLI and what it meant to be attending this prestigious service. It made me chuckle that all this was conducted in a very British orderly queue.'

For a time, Laura spoke with William Rogerson, Lifeboat Treasurer and Chaplin, Trearddur Bay RNLI, Anglesey. Upon sharing she was from Scarborough RNLI, he smiled and complemented the station, commenting that his last visit to Scarborough RNLI was in 2019.

He continued with sharing that a few years before that, he took part in 'The Dash'. This was an RNLI fundraising event where he was in a van with his son and daughter (who were on the crew at Trearddur Bay), visiting as many lifeboat stations in 48 hours as they could, including Scarborough RNLI. He stated that it was 'great fun' and that he 'always enjoys visiting Scarborough RNLI.'

Laura added: 'It was a lovely moment to share, discovering my station had left such a positive impression on a fellow RNLI volunteer. It emphasised the meaning of being One Crew, and that it is not limited by the boundaries of our home station, the ethos of One Crew applies throughout the whole charity.'

Upon entering Westminster Abbey, the magnitude of the experience became apparent. Everyone was at the Abbey, having travelled from all corners of the United Kingdom and Ireland, gathered in the capital’s cathedral that is cemented in the heart of our nation’s history.

For one day, the congregation was celebrating the RNLI’s heritage together whilst thanking those that went before them for their service and sacrifice.

The service began at the same time that the RNLI’s founding papers were signed back in 1824.

Laura continued: 'I couldn’t help but think about William Hilary and the other 30 plus people who put their names to a fledgling National Service that would save lives at sea. I wondered if they ever considered the incredible impact their actions would have on our Maritime nation and beyond.

'They laid the foundations for a charity that today designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes with a single goal to save lives at sea; taking their mission far beyond the shores of their home nation. Just like the sea, their legacy has no boundaries and has lasted the test of time.’

The service was conducted by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE, Dean of Westminster, with The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby GCVO, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England and Metropolitan delivering the address.

The service concluded with the Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI signing the RNLI’s 200th Pledge Scroll which was also signed by The Dean of Westminster and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

When reflecting with other volunteers from Cullercoats RNLI who spent the day with Laura, they all agreed that the service was incredibly eloquent whilst humbling, whilst also joyous and at times amusing too. When it was time to leave, there was a general consensus within the congregation that the atmosphere was inspirational and uplifting.

It was clear to see that every person there had encountered a highly treasured, very special, once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten and reiterated what a fantastic institution the RNLI is.

Laura shared a final thought about the day, highlighting that her regional water safety counterpart and Lifeboat Operations Manager, from Cullercoats RNLI, Kay Heslop, summed it up perfectly just as they departed to go home:

The attendees from Scarborough RNLI would like to thank all those involved in planning and delivering the service. They are grateful for having the privilege to attend such a remarkable occasion.

Notes to Editor:

• Scarborough RNLI has been operating since 1801 and is one of the oldest stations in the United Kingdom still in operation. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station.

• A livestream of the service is available until 3 April 2024 at: https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024/programmes/thanksgiving-services

• The Archbishop of Canterbury’s whole address can be read at: https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/speaking-writing/sermons/archbishops-sermon-celebrate-200-years-rnli

• Other dignitaries that attended were Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE DC, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff; The High Sheriff of Greater London, Ina De; Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurance and The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Patricia McAllister.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Laura Lyth, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 01723 360520 or [email protected]