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Hastings RNLI volunteers help bonfire night go with a bang

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteers from Hastings RNLI lifeboat station were proud to take part in the town's bonfire procession last Saturday 18 October, held to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings which took place in October 1066.

A burning poppy firework with the words RNLI Remember

RNLI/Kevin Boorman

The RNLI poppy firework
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The volunteers first took part last year, as part of the RNLI 200 celebrations, and were delighted to be able to get involved again this year. They wore jumpers with orange and blue stripes, the RNLI colours. The jumpers were knitted last year by volunteers from the local community.

Paul Freathy, chair of Hastings Lifeboat Management Group, said : 'We were privileged to be able to take part in the Hastings bonfire night torchlight procession. It was great to see so many volunteers take part, including fundraisers, shop workers, shore crew, boat crew, and launch authorities.

'Our crew heard many positive comments as they paraded through the town with their burning torches, they really appreciate such community support.

'Particularly poignant was when the procession stopped to honour the RNLI at the site where the former Hastings lifeboat the Cyril and Lilian Bishop used to be on display. It took part in the Dunkirk evacuation and is thought to have rescued hundreds of servicemen and women from the beach there.'
Group of RNLI volunteers in orange and blue striped jumpers

RNLI/Sloane Phillips

The RNLI volunteers at the start of the parade
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RNLI volunteers walking behind a banner showing the letters RNLI and a lifebelt

RNLI/Sloane Phillips

The RNLI banner being paraded
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RNLI volunteers walking behind the RNLI banner on the seafront

RNLI/Sloane Phillips

The RNLI volunteers in the procession
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RNLI volunteers parading burning torches through Hastings Old Town, past the mediaeval buildings

RNLI/Paul McCleery

RNLI volunteers parading burning torches through Hastings Old Town
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.

About the author

Kevin Boorman
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hastings

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