RNLI Thanksgiving Services in 2024
Learn about some of the Thanksgiving Services that were held in RNLI communities in honour of our 200th anniversary on 4 March 2024.
Each service of thanksgiving commemorated those who have gone before us; celebrated our incredible volunteers of today; and inspired the next generation of lifesavers.
Westminster Abbey Service of Thanksgiving
The Westminster Service of Thanksgiving was held on the RNLI's 200th Anniversary - Monday 4 March 2024 - at Westminster Abbey.
A representative from every RNLI community was invited to this special moment in London, which incidentally took place at the same time the RNLI founding papers were signed back in 1824.
Organised by both the RNLI and Westminster, the service included moments that represented all the RNLI regions and countries - all of the various people that came together to form One Crew. There were also some very special readings and poems that brought the RNLI’s lifesaving story to life.
Llandaff Thanksgiving Service
On Saturday 27 April 2024, Llandaff Cathedral hosted a Thanksgiving Service in honour of the RNLI’s 200 years of saving lives at sea.
The Preacher at the special service was Reverend Mark Broadway, who is also a volunteer lifeboat crew member at Porthcawl Lifeboat Station.
York Minster Service of Thanksgiving
The special Service of Thanksgiving held at York Minster took place on Saturday 20 April 2024.
The service was led by the Dean of York and included a procession and readings by RNLI volunteers and staff.
Matt McNally from Cleethorpes Lifeboat Station said he was honoured to be chosen to give a reading at the service about life as a volunteer crew member.
He said it was a ‘wonderful opportunity to commemorate and reflect on the history of the RNLI, as well as celebrating all that we do to save lives at sea’.
Glasgow Thanksgiving Service
On Sunday 10 March 2024, Glasgow Cathedral hosted an RNLI Thanksgiving Service in honour of the charity’s 200 years of saving lives at sea. This was attended by volunteers from across Scotland, members of the public, and local dignitaries.
During this service, we heard the extra verse of Eternal Father written for the RNLI by Richard J MacDonald, a crew member at Anstruther Lifeboat Station.