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130 years later: Recreating the first street collection

RNLI crew members and lifeguards headed to Manchester to celebrate 130 years since the world’s first charity street collection and to recreate a very special photo.

The world’s first street collection, for the RNLI, in Manchester, 1891
The world’s first street collection for the RNLI, in Manchester, 1891.

1891: The world’s first collection

After the Mexico disaster and the loss of 27 lifeboatmen, a small team organised an event in Manchester that changed the face of fundraising forever. It was the world's first ever charity street collection, with bands, floats and lifeboats parading through the streets of Manchester, followed by volunteers with buckets and purses on poles. Thousands of people flocked to the city’s streets to catch a glimpse of the lifeboat crew members and their lifesaving craft, raising over £5,000.

130 years later

To celebrate this special anniversary, a modern Atlantic 85 lifeboat was brought into the city centre and RNLI crews and lifeguards met with members of the public to talk about their roles in saving lives at sea. 

A crowd watched on as RNLI lifesavers, fundraisers and supporters recreated the 1891 street collection photograph (above). Front and centre of the photo was Ben Williamson and his family, who have a special connection to the RNLI. Ben's life was saved by RNLI lifeguards after he was swept into a rip current while on holiday in Cornwall.

Learn more about the recreation – and hear from Ben – in our video below. 

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