RNLI 200th anniversary – let’s celebrate 200 years and counting

2024 marks the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. With just a few months to go until our bicentenary begins, join us as we start counting down and looking forward to the exciting plans that will mark this historic milestone in our lifesaving story. Find out here first what’s coming up for 2023 and beyond.

Join us for special events near you

From this August, and all throughout 2024, you can look forward to a unique programme of RNLI activity. And because our watch spans the whole of the UK and Ireland, you’ll be able to get involved wherever you are. Plans are afoot for a series of regional heritage exhibitions for the whole family to enjoy, and you can meet the lifesavers at RNLI days at Bamburgh Castle and Pembroke Castle. See below for some highlights of what’s to come, with more to be announced soon...

Bringing stories to life

The 200 Voices podcast launches on 18 August 2023. In the run-up to the RNLI’s 200th birthday on 4 March 2024 we are releasing one podcast episode every day for 200 days. You’ll hear from celebrity supporters, water safety volunteers, fundraisers, and supporters like you. The podcast will help bring their stories to life, as they share their role in our 200-year-old mission to save every one.

200 Voices will be available from 18 August or wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

Shop the RNLI 200 Range

We’re proud to bring you the RNLI 200 range for our 200th year – special souvenirs that have been carefully chosen and designed with our lifesaving heritage in mind for you to treasure for generations to come.

The collection can be found online and in RNLI shops across the UK and Ireland and it features some of your favourite RNLI products. Each item in the range has an exclusive RNLI 200 logo underlined by the iconic lifeboat stripe of yellow on red, and every purchase you make will help power our lifesaving charity into its third century.

Make sure you don’t miss out on this special collection commemorating 200 years of saving lives at sea.

Shop the collection

Are you ready to rescue?

Get ready to join Stormy Stan, Sandy, and the rest of the gang as the newest lifesaving recruit in Storm Force Rescue.

Brand new in 2024, this free game is packed with exciting rescue missions and water safety education. Each unique lifesaving scenario gives kids an interactive and fun way to learn about water safety. Players – the young and the young at heart – can use rescue boards, jet skis and lifeboats to help save lives at sea and become a lifesaver. A playable sneak preview of the game will be available online in November, and you'll be able to download the full version for your phone or tablet in March 2024.

Take a look behind the scenes.

Poole Lifeboat Festival

Join us for a special RNLI 200 Poole Lifeboat Festival at RNLI College, in Poole, Dorset, on 19 May 2024. With inspiring exhibitions and interactive experiences from across the RNLI, it’s a day that’s guaranteed fun for all the family. Visit the place where our lifeboats are made, soak up the festival atmosphere with music, food and drinks and talk to some of the fantastic people who make the RNLI what it is today.

Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting updates, to make sure you don't miss out on any of the action.

RNLI 200 All Hands on Deck. Supported by GJW Direct

Show your support for lifeboat crews and our drowning prevention work, by raising lifesaving funds, to ensure we can be there for generations of sailors to come. Organise a yacht or dinghy race, link up with other clubs for a joint event, or plan a family day with a picnic or barbecue – it’s entirely up to you.

The St Buryan Male Voice Choir led in singing outside the Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat station during the naming ceremony of the D-class inshore lifeboat Amy Brown D-763.

Sing to save lives

We have partnered with ChoirCommunity to invite choirs from around the UK and Ireland to join us in 2024 and sing to save lives. You and your choir can take part by holding a concert or performance to raise funds in aid of the RNLI. There are also opportunities to join up with some of our fantastic local fundraisers and volunteers to include their voices in your event.

Oil painting of the 1914 Rohilla Rescue off Whitby

Join the 200 Club

At the heart of our celebrations are the members of the RNLI 200 Club. Their donations will fund the 200th anniversary activities and help inspire the next generation of RNLI supporters and volunteers. Their place will be cemented in RNLI history. Could you join them?

Find out more

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