Lough Derg RNLI participates in RNLI 200th Anniversary Scroll Relay
Earlier today, Friday 16 August, representatives from Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station took part in the RNLI’s ‘Connecting our Communities’ relay-style event in which a scroll bearing the RNLI pledge came to Lough Derg - one of the ways in which the charity is marking its 200th anniversary in 2024
The scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, is being passed through RNLI communities – lifeboat stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches – around the UK and Ireland and being signed by representatives at each location on its route.
The pledge reads: ‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us. This is our watch, we lead the way, valuing each other, trusting each other, depending on one another, volunteering to face the storm together. Knowing that, with courage, nothing is impossible. That is what has always driven us to save every one we can. It's what makes every one of us a lifesaver.’
Beneath the pledge, printed in seven languages (English, Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots, Manx, and Cornish), it says: ‘Signed in 2024 by representatives of the RNLI’s lifesaving communities, on behalf of all who strive to save every one.’
At Lough Derg RNLI today, the scroll was signed by Niamh McCutcheon, Chairperson of Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee, a member of the RNLI Council, Ireland and an RNLI Vice-President, and Peter Kennedy, one of the Station Mechanics at Lough Derg RNLI. Niamh has been a volunteer with the RNLI for over 40 years, Peter has been a volunteer with Lough Derg RNLI since 2012.
Peter Kennedy, Station Mechanic says:
“Over the course of seven months, the five-metre-long scroll will pass through 240 RNLI locations around the UK and Ireland before finishing its journey in October at Douglas on the Isle of Man, which was home to the RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary. By this time it will carry around 700 signatures including mine and Niamh’s from Lough Derg RNLI. The scroll will become part of the charity’s history and a significant snapshot of the charity as it stands at 200 years old. We are delighted to play our part.”
Niamh McCutcheon, Chairperson of Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee, a member of the RNLI Council, Ireland and an RNLI Vice-President says:
“We are privileged to be able to participate in the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary Scroll Relay. The scroll has been made bespoke, involving RNLI craftspeople and using materials of significance to the charity. The wooden handle has been made by a carpenter from the RNLI’s All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole (where the charity builds and maintains its all-weather lifeboats), using wood from an old flagpole from Ramsey lifeboat station on the Isle of Man.
“We are privileged to be able to participate in the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary Scroll Relay. The scroll has been made bespoke, involving RNLI craftspeople and using materials of significance to the charity. The wooden handle has been made by a carpenter from the RNLI’s All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole (where the charity builds and maintains its all-weather lifeboats), using wood from an old flagpole from Ramsey lifeboat station on the Isle of Man.
Apprentices from the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre on the Isle of Wight have made the protective fibreglass casing and set the scroll spindles and accessories into the case. The scroll began its journey on Monday 4 March 2024, at a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey to mark the charity’s official 200th anniversary, from where it began its relay to lifeboat stations.”
Ford provided an All-Electric E-Transit van in which Chris Smith, RNLI staff member, is transporting the scroll on its journey. We were delighted to welcome Chris to Lough Derg RNLI today.
When the seven-month-long journey is complete, the scroll will be displayed in the RNLI College in Poole, where the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards are trained.
Founded 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 been saving lives at sea for 200 years. Since the charity was founded, it’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.
Notes to Editors
- Click here to access the RNLI 200th anniversary media pack, which contains a selection of RNLI archive images from key points in the charity’s history, an RNLI history timeline, and a film of ‘200 years in 200 seconds’ – all of which can be downloaded.
- Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 2004. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/lough-derg-lifeboat-station
- Photos of Lough Derg RNLI and the scroll can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/ Please credit RNLI.
Media contacts
For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer helm and Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or
[email protected]
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the
RNLI website or
Facebook,
Twitter and
YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the
RNLI News Centre.
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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit
RNLI.org/200.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
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.