
RNLI bicentenary celebrated garden party at Lord Jeffery Archer’s Old Vicarage
Cambridge RNLI Fundraising Guild celebrated the charity’s bicentenary with a fundraising garden party. Lord Jeffery Archer and Lady Mary Archer opened The Old Vicarage gardens to the public.
Organised by the Cambridge RNLI fundraising branch with the support of Lord and Lady Acher, the afternoon paid tribute to the RNLI for 200 years of saving lives at sea, celebrating over 146,000 lives saves since the charity was founded.
The significant gardens that lead to the River Cam have a broad history dating back to the 18th century. There was a variety of stalls selling cakes, souvenirs, and merchandise in a marquee. The author donated books in aid of the RNLI, sea shanties concluded the afternoon at 4pm.
Cambridge RNLI Branch aims to raise vital lifesaving funds for the RNLI ensuring the charity and its volunteer crews and lifeguards can continue saving people from the risk of drowning for the next 200 years. The branch welcomes new members.
RNLI Community Manager Rebecca Whyte said: ‘This event for the RNLI is especially poignant as we mark its 200th anniversary. It's an opportunity to commemorate our brave volunteer crews past and present, celebrate the world-class lifesaving organisation we are today, and inspire the crew, supporters, and volunteers of tomorrow.’
Founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history, including tragic disasters, funding challenges and two World Wars.
Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity; and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.
The RNLI’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK and Ireland. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.
While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.
Notes to editors
· Photo credits: Ian Purkiss
· Details about the fundraising branch can be found here Cambridge and District Fundraising Branch (rnli.org). Cambridge fundraising branch are currently recruiting for volunteer engagement roles.
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.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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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.