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Highlands & Islands Baton Relay to celebrate significant RNLI anniversaries

Lifeboats News Release

On Thursday 1 August, Lifeboat Crew, Fundraisers, Visits Team and Station Management from RNLI Invergordon gathered to participate in an event to capture a photograph to recognise One Moment One Crew and celebrate the launch of the Highland and Islands Baton relay.

One Crew One Moment at 18:24

RNLI/Michael MacDonald

One Crew One Moment at 18:24

The ‘One Moment One Crew’ event was held to connect all RNLI volunteers across the UK and Ireland at this special moment for the charity, founded in 1824, for a photograph to be taken at 18:24 on 1.8.24.

RNLI volunteers gathered around the Launch a Memory signage outside the Lifeboat Station for the iconic event, where the photographs will be turned into one unique mural made up of all of the imagery of the one crew of 2024, which will be available in digital form, as well as a physical print. The image will also be preserved in the RNLI Heritage Archive for future generations of the charity to enjoy.

Following on from the ‘One Moment One Crew’ photograph, the station’s special guest for the evening, Mrs Joanie Whiteford, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty attended the event along with Angus Watson MBE, Deputy Lieutenant. to launch the Highlands and Islands Baton Relay.

The Highlands and Islands Baton was presented over from the Lord-Lieutenant to the care of John Henderson, after a very moving speech signifying the RNLI’s 200th and Invergordon 50th anniversary and a thank you on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III to the Invergordon Lifeboat Management Group (LMG) Chairman for it to begin the relay around the Highlands and Islands Lifeboat Stations, visiting Wick, Thurso, Lochinvar, Portree, Kyle, Loch Ness, Buckie & Kessock before arriving back at Invergordon on the 7th September to be represented back to the Lord-Lieutenant for the unveiling of the Royal Household message contained inside before the official opening of the Lifeboat Station Open Day.

Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, who is overseeing the RNLI’s 200th-anniversary programmes, said “The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for 200 years thanks to its incredible people – the courageous lifeboat crews and lifeguards who put their own lives at risk to save others; the dedicated fundraisers who raise the income to power those rescues; the committed volunteers who give their own time in a range of other roles such as giving out water safety advice or helping to run our retail shops and museums, and the staff who provide vital support to our volunteers.

We have encouraged anyone who has some form of involvement with the RNLI to participate in this special ‘One Moment for One Crew’ photographic event, to capture a record of everyone who, at this moment in time, is playing some part in the RNLI’s lifesaving work, continuing its legacy and securing its future.

‘During our 200th anniversary year, we have been remembering our past, celebrating the lifesaving service we provide today, and aiming to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters. ‘One Moment for One Crew’ is very much about celebrating the people of today’s RNLI and, we hope, inspiring those future generations who will take the RNLI into its third century of lifesaving.”

Lifeboat Management Group Chairman John Henderson said “This evening was a great opportunity to celebrate a very special moment in the history of the RNLI and a testament of the volunteers who came before us, celebrate our current lifesavers, and inspire future generations. Tonight’s event was inspired by our volunteers’ request for an event where everyone involved in this incredible lifesaving charity could come together at one special moment, combined with the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant to launch the Highland & Islands Baton Relay this evening was extra special.”

The evening drew to a close with light refreshments in the Lifeboat Station.

Notes to editors

· Invergordon lifeboat station has been operating since 1974 and operates a Shannon Class Lifeboat – RNLB Agnes AP Barr (RNLI 13-37).

· Invergordon Lifeboat is the RNLI’s first Launch a Memory Lifeboat which carries 9500 names on her Port and Starboard decals.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please telephone Michael MacDonald RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01349 853915 or [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, Regional Communications Manager on 07826 900639 or [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Communications Lead on 07920 365929 or [email protected]

Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland on [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty - Mrs Joanie Whiteford

RNLI/Michael MacDonald

Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty - Mrs Joanie Whiteford
Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty & LMG Chair John Henderson

RNLI/Michael MacDonald

Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty & LMG Chair John Henderson
Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty & Deputy Lieutenant with volunteers

RNLI/Michael MacDonald

Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty & Deputy Lieutenant with volunteers

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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