Connecting our Communities Relay comes to Cleethorpes RNLI

Ultra marathon runner Ally is a tractor driver at Cleethorpes RNLI and his run shadowed the journey of the scroll through Lincolnshire, being signed at each one. The scroll started its journey in March at Westminster Abbey and will complete it in Douglas, Isle of Man, where William Hillary, the founder of the RNLI, lived.

Having arrived at Cleethorpes, the scroll was signed by Mary Thomas, President of the RNLI in Cleethorpes, who has been fundraising for the charity since 1973. It was also signed by Mick Fowler, Lifeboat Operations Manager and Ben Carpenter, Water Safety Officer.

Ben said: "I'm so proud to have been chosen to sign this scroll, along with volunteers from all over the country, having my name on this permanent record of our 200th year."

The following morning, Sunday 26th, Ben was part of the crew of Cleethorpes Lifeboat who launched, again carrying the flag, and met with the Humber Lifeboat just off Cleethorpes, transferring the flag to them as the scroll made its way to their base in Grimsby Docks for them to sign.

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.