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Happy 200th Birthday RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On 7 July 2024 Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI received a special visit from, H M Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland Dr Caroline Pryer, along with, Vice-Lord-Lieutenant Stuart Birkett, Deputy Lieutenants John Lovett, Keith Montgomery and Carolyn Clayton.

RH M Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland Dr Caroline Pryer, along with, Vice-Lord-Lieutenant Stuart Birkett, Deputy Lieutenants John Lovett, Keith Montgomery and Carolyn Clayton.NLI Crew with

RNLI/Hazel Bettison

Happy 200th Birthday RNLI

They came to say, at our station, ‘Happy 200th Birthday’ and Thank You to the RNLI volunteer Crew’. They brought with them a special 200th Birthday card and a very large handmade Cookie.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Knox said, ‘It was a privilege for myself and the Crew to meet them all and show them our station. We thank you all for taking the time to come and see us.’

The RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea on Monday 4th March 2024 thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others - funded by voluntary public donations.

Over 200 years it has saved 146,000 lives across its world class lifeboat and lifeguarding service.

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

Picture captions and credits.

Visiting Berwick-Upon-Tweed Lifeboat Station H M Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland Dr Caroline Pryer and Vice-Lord-Lieutenant Stuart Birkett, Deputy Lieutenants John Lovett, Keith Montgomery and Carolyn Clayton. Credit RNLI/Hazel Bettison.

Any one for Cookies: Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Knox with H M Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland Dr Caroline Pryer. Credit RNLI/Hazel Bettison.



Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Knox with H M Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland Dr Caroline Pryer

RNLI/Hazel Bettison

Any one for Cookies
200th Birthday card from H M Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland Dr Caroline Pryer

RNLI/Hazel Bettison

Happy 200th Birthday RNLI

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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