Hunstanton crew sign RNLI Connecting our Communities scroll

Louise Kyle, 20, the station's youngest sea-going volunteer, press officer Geoff Needham, who at 91 is the oldest member of the crew and Derek Greening, chair of the Hunstanton and West Norfolk Lifeboat Guild, put pen to the bamboo roll to applause from crew-mates.

The pledge is visiting RNLI communities around the coast of the UK and Ireland as part of the charity's 200th anniversary celebrations.

Jeff Lenton, one of the Deputy Launch Authorities at Hunstanton, said: 'It's a tremendous honour to be able to commemorate 200 years of saving lives and recognise the thousands of volunteers who give up their time to help us.

'Thank you to all of our supporters locally, regionally and nationally for every thing they do - without them, we'd be nothing.'

The scroll is inscribed with the RNLI One Crew pledge, setting out the vision Sir William Hillary decreed at the launch of the charity in March, 1824.

‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives,' it reads.

'We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us.

'This is our watch, we lead the way, valuing each other, trusting each other, depending on one another, volunteering to face the storm together.

'Knowing that, with courage, nothing is impossible. That is what has always driven us to save every one we can. It's what makes every one of us a lifesaver.’

The 5m-long scroll will pass through 240 RNLI locations around the UK and Ireland before finishing its journey in October at Douglas on the Isle of Man, which was home to Sir William. By then, it is expected to carry around 700 signatures.

The pledge began its journey on 4 March 2024, at a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey to mark the charity’s official 200th anniversary.

Notes to editor

After formalities were completed at Hunstanton, the scroll set off on the next stage of its journey where it will visit lifeboat stations in Lincolnshire.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of both the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton and the founding of the RNLI, whose work would not be possible without donations from its supporters.

The station operates both an Atlantic 85 fast inshore lifeboat, Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

RNLI media contacts:

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North and East) on 07824 518641, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.