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Hundreds pack church for Hunstanton RNLI 200 Christmas Carol Service

Lifeboats News Release

Carols filled a Norfolk church to celebrate the bicentenary of the charity that saves lives at sea. Some 300 supporters and volunteers packed St Mary's at Old Hunstanton on Tuesday 18 December for the RNLI 200 Christmas Carol Service.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton Concert Band perform at the RNLI200 Christmas Carol Service at St Mary's Church
They were welcomed by the Rev Sandra Ellison, who led the service in the towering 14th Century church.

Hunstanton Concert band, conducted by musical director Paula Cuthbertson, soon had them on their feet for festive favourites including Once in Royal David's City, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and We Three Kings.

Volunteers from the station gave readings during the service, followed by prayers led by Rev Sandra.

After, she told how the Christmas message of love to all is as relevant in today's troubled world as when it began.

Derek Greening, chair of the Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Guild, thanked the band, Rev Sandra, the church wardens and congregation for hosting the event.

'This evening is badged as an RNLI 200th anniversary concert,' he said. 'But we are also here to thank all our emergency services who keep us safe - the police, fire and ambulance services and our colleagues in the National Coastwatch Institution and HM Coastguard.'

Derek said the station had had a successful 200th anniversary year thanks to the all the many people in the community who have supported the crew.

After blessings and a rousing rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas from the band, volunteers served up mulled wine and mince pies.

Notes to editors

This year marks the 200th anniversary of both the RNLI and the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton.

Today, the station on Sea Lane is one of the region's busiest, whose volunteers operate both the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

Like more than 200 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, they'll be on call 24/7 over the festive period, including Christmas Day.

Their work is only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, who help fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.

Equipping a crew member at Hunstanton with the clothing and kit they need to keep them warm and safe at sea costs £1,300, while the average annual training cost is £1,450 per person on board the station's lifeboat or hovercraft.

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

St Mary's Church at Old Hunstanton was packed for the RNLI200 Christmas Carol Service

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton Concert Band, conducted by Paula Cuthbertson, performed at the RNLI200 Christmas Carol Service

RNLI/Chris Bishop

The RNLI200 Christmas Carol Service at St Mary's Church, at Old Hunstanton

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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