Coast to Cobbles
Come together to celebrate RNLI lifesaving across the North West over the last 200 years … and counting.
Join us at a Coast To Cobbles event between 28 September and 12 October to celebrate the courage and kindness that has powered our lifesaving in North West England since 1824.
A lifesaving mission of a different kind
The five main Coast to Cobbles events, listed below, take place along the route of our special lifeboat and its crew as they travel by sea, river and canal - from Silloth in Cumbria to Salford Quays in Greater Manchester - on a lifesaving mission of a different kind.
Along the way, the crew will be filling a time capsule with precious RNLI memories from the courageous lifeboat station volunteers and kind communities they visit. Whether you’re part of these local communities, or just want to show your support, you’ll have a chance to add your own RNLI memories to the Coast To Cobbles time capsule. And make new memories at our many other community events!
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1
Silloth
The Big Launch Event
at Silloth Lifeboat Station
on Saturday 28 September, 9:30am to 4pm -
2
Lytham St Annes
Paving unveiling
at Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Station
on Saturday 5 October, 10.30am to 4pm -
3
Liverpool
Service of Thanksgiving
at Our Lady and St Nicholas Church
on Saturday 5 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm -
4
Liverpool
Rock Around the Dock
at Albert Dock
on Saturday 5 October, 12.30 to 4pm -
5
Salford Quays
Lifeboat on The Quay
at Media City Piazza, Salford Quays
on Thursday 10 October, 11am to 4pm
Courage and kindness: The inspiration behind Coast To Cobbles
Coast To Cobbles is inspired by one of the most courageous acts in RNLI history, which prompted one of the kindest.
On 10 December 1886, 27 lifeboatmen from Southport and St Annes lost their lives off the Lancashire coast while trying to rescue sailors from the stricken vessel Mexico.
The tragedy, which remains the worst in the RNLI’s 200-year history, rallied an impassioned nation together. A public appeal was launched to help the families left behind, which included 16 widows and 50 fatherless children. And in aid of the appeal, a small group of fundraisers organised the world’s first recorded street collection.
The street collection, which took place in Manchester on 10 October 1891, was so successful, it became the first of many Lifeboat Saturdays that would go on to raise vital funds for the charity and the families that save lives at sea.
You're our greatest force
More than 130 years later, and compassionate, caring people like you are still the greatest force behind our lifesaving service.
So it’s only fitting that you’re part of our Coast To Cobbles events between 28 September and 12 October 2024.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
The Coast To Cobbles time capsule
At the end of its journey in Salford Quays, the time capsule will be sealed and transported to Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Station, where it will be put on display.
The display will be unveiled on Tuesday 10 December 2024 - the 138th anniversary of the Southport and Lytham St Anne’s lifeboat disaster.
The time capsule will be opened in the RNLI’s 250th year on 10 December 2074.
More Coast to Cobbles events
