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Connecting our Communities Scroll reaches Whitstable RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

The RNLI 200 ‘Connecting our Communities’ scroll relay visited Whitstable RNLI on Sunday afternoon.

Julia Hill and Andy Mayo with fellow volunteers and the 'Connecting our Communities scroll at Whitstable RNLI on Sunday afternoon.

RNLI/Chris Davey

Julia Hill and Andy Mayo with fellow volunteers and the 'Connecting our Communities scroll at Whitstable RNLI on Sunday afternoon.
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The scroll is inscribed with the RNLI One Crew pledge, promising the institutions commitment to saving every one we can, without judgment and staying true to Sir William Hillary’s vision when he founded the charity in 1824.
On hand to sign the scroll on behalf of the operational side of the station was Launching Authority Andy Mayo and Julia Hill for the shop and fundraising volunteers at the station.

Andy who has been with the RNLI for 32-years said “I am honoured represent Whitstable in this, the 200th anniversary year for the RNLI by signing the scroll on behalf of our station”

Julia Hill who has been a fundraiser for more than 25-years added that she was pleased to sign the scroll on behalf of the fundraisers and shop staff at the station”.

Julia and Andy were the 29th and 30th signatories on the scroll.

The scroll arrived at Whitstable onboard the all electric Ford E-Transit specially provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of linking the RNLI communities during the relay.

The scroll will travel through every RNLI region and country throughout the year having started its journey at the ‘Service of Thanksgiving’ at Westminster Abbey last Monday and it will continue travelling until October 2024, when it will end its journey in Douglas, Isle of Man, the former home of Sir William Hillary.


Notes to editors

Whitstable RNLI Lifeboat Station was established in 1963 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and is one of 237 lifeboat stations around the shores of the UK and Ireland. The volunteer crews provide a maritime search and rescue service for the Kent coast. They cover the area between the Kingsferry Bridge on the Swale, in the west, around the south-eastern side of Sheppey and along the coast through Whitstable and Herne Bay to Reculver in the east and outwards into the Thames Estuary.

The station is equipped with an Atlantic 85 lifeboat named Lewisco, purchased through a bequest of a Miss Lewis of London who passed away in 2006.

She is what is known as a rigid inflatable inshore lifeboat, the boat’s rigid hull being topped by an inflatable sponson. She carries a crew of four people.





  • Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 [email protected]

  • For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]



Julia Hill and Andy Mayo signed the 'Connecting our Communities scroll on behalf of Whitstable RNLI on Sunday afternoon.

RNLI/Chris Davey

Julia Hill and Andy Mayo signed the 'Connecting our Communities scroll on behalf of Whitstable RNLI on Sunday afternoon.
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Chris Smith delivers the scroll to Whitsable RNLI on Sunday afternoon. Picture:RNLI Whitstable.

RNLI/Chris Davey

Chris Smith delivers the scroll to Whitsable RNLI on Sunday afternoon.
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Julia Hill and Andy Mayo with fellow volunteers at Whitstable RNLI and the case containing the 'Connecting our Communities scroll on Sunday afternoon. Picture:RNLI Whitstable.

RNLI/Chris Davey

Julia Hill and Andy Mayo with fellow volunteers at Whitstable RNLI and the case containing the 'Connecting our Communities scroll on Sunday afternoon.
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Julia Hill signed the 'Connecting our Communities scroll watched by Chris Smith who is transporting the document around the country at Whitstable RNLI on Sunday afternoon

RNLI/Chris Davey

Julia Hill signed the 'Connecting our Communities scroll watched by Chris Smith who is transporting the document around the country at Whitstable RNLI on Sunday afternoon
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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.

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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.

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