Wells RNLI welcomes the 200 anniversary scroll

The event, which is one of the ways in which the charity is marking its 200th anniversary in 2024, sees a scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, being passed through RNLI communities – lifeboat stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches – around the UK and Ireland and being signed by representatives at each location on its route.

The pledge reads: ‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. 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.’

Beneath the pledge, printed in seven languages (English, Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots, Manx, and Cornish), it says: ‘Signed in 2024 by representatives of the RNLI’s lifesaving communities, on behalf of all who strive to save every one.’

Representatives from Wells RNLI signed the scroll, Jenny Parr, Shop Manager, Mandy Humphreys, Water Safety Officer, Ray West, Head Launcher, Nicky King, Coxswain, Sheila Warner, Fundraising Guild & long serving volunteer of 61 years.

The scroll started it’s journey on 4 March 2024 at Westminster Abbey. There was a special ceremony held for the RNLI, marking it’s 200 year anniversary. The scroll is due to visit 240 locations around the UK and Ireland, finishing in October 2024 at Douglas, Isle of Man, which was home to Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI in 1824.

Ford has kindly donated the use of an electric van for the RNLI to use. Driver Chris Smith has been entrusted with the great honour of ensuring the scroll safely reaches all the destinations and is correctly signed. The scroll will take 7 months to complete it’s epic journey around the 240 stations.

For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Adele Meakin, RNLI volunteer Deputy Press Officer [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Notes to the editor

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our charity and 97% of our frontline lifesavers are volunteers.

Our vision is to save every one. To find out more about the RNLI and make a donation, please visit RNLI.org/donate. Every penny counts.

The Wells RNLI is located at Beach Road, Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk, NR23 1DR. There is a well stocked shop in the boat house, usually open Fridays to Mondays, 10am-4pm, staffed entirely by volunteers. Some changes to these days are likely, due to staff shortages.

The current lifeboats at the station are a Shannon class All Weather lifeboat No 13-46, Duke of Edinburgh, new to the station in 2023 and a D-class Inshore lifeboat No. D-797 Peter Wilcox, in service since 2016.

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.