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Kinsale RNLI welcomes the RNLI Scroll as part ‘Connecting our Communities’ relay

Lifeboats News Release

Kinsale RNLI welcomed Chris Smith to the station last evening, 21 August with the RNLI 200 scroll for volunteers to sign and add their names to the RNLI history.

RNLI/Therese O'Leary-Dinneen

Kinsale RNLI Volunteer Members with Chris Smith

Volunteers to sign the scroll were Nick Searls from the Lifesaving Operations team, Gail Swanton from Fundraising and Gerard Quinn from Water Safety, with signatories from many of the charity's lifeboat stations being represented across Ireland and the United Kingdom. Between them, Nick, Gail and Gerard have over 70 years of volunteering with the RNLI.

During its journey, the scroll will be kept safe in a bespoke case – made from the same materials used to build and maintain the charity lifeboats, stations and lifeguard units. Ford has supplied a specially designed all-electric E-Transit van to transport the 5 metre long scroll from one RNLI community to the next for signing. The last signature to be added will be the patron of the RNLI, King Charles III.

On the scroll is the pledge, which 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 everyone we can. It's what makes every one of us a lifesaver.’

Beneath the pledge, printed in seven languages (English, Irish, 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.’

Nick Seals, Gail Swanton and Gerard Quinn

RNLI

Nick Seals, Gail Swanton and Gerard Quinn

RNLI/Therese O'Leary-Dinneen

Kinsale RNLI Volunteers with Chris Smith and the RNLI 200 Scroll

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.

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