Bangor RNLI celebrate 200 years of charity saving lives at sea

The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, has marked 200 years. Last week, volunteers remembered Founder, Sir William Hilary, who had a vision for a lifeboat service around the UK and Ireland, with crews ready to risk their own lives to save others in peril. 200 years on we continue to fulfil this vision.

Volunteers and staff also commemorated the RNLI's remarkable lifesaving history, the achievements and commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries.

The charity celebrated how far it has come in 200 years – from oar powered lifeboats to the modern lifesaving vessels used today. It celebrated the volunteering ethos which is at the heart of everything the charity does – crew members, fundraisers and other vital volunteers give their valuable time to ensure saving lives at sea.

The service was conducted by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle _{KVCO MBE,} Dean of Westminster and attended by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI. Also in attendance were Mark Dowie, Chief Executive, RNLI and Paddy McLoughlin, Trustee, RNLI.

During the service, the congregation of over 1,700 people gave thanks for the lifesaving work carried out since the charity was founded. They remembered those that have died and celebrated those who’s live have been saved. One of the readings was a poem written and read by Eleanor Hooker, Helm, Lough Derg, RNLI entitled ‘Float to Live’. A very poignant and inspiring poem indeed. Martin Stephen a rescuee read an extract from Sir William Hillary’s ‘Appeal to the Nation’.

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RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tom Bell, Bangor Lifeboat Press Officer on 075 1532 7284 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 00353 876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 00353 871254124 or [email protected]

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.