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Little and Broad Haven RNLI volunteers attend RNLI 200 Cathedral service

Lifeboats News Release

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) marked 200 years of lifesaving with a Service of Thanksgiving at St Davids Cathedral, and crew members and supporters from Little and Broad Haven Station played their part in the celebrations.

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Crew members, fundraisers and supporters from Little and Broad Haven at the RNLI 200 service in St.Davids Cathedral
On Sunday 14 July, RNLI volunteers from across Wales gathered at St Davids Cathedral for a thanksgiving service to mark the charity’s bicentenary. The congregation was welcomed by Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Dean of St Davids, followed by readings from Miss Sara Edwards - His Majesty’s Lieutenant of Dyfed, James Cowan – Senior RNLI Lifeguard in Ceredigion, Dorrien Davies – Lord Bishop of St Davids, Mark Morgan – Chair of Lifeboat Management Group Aberystwyth RNLI and Jess Rogers – Volunteer Lifeboat Crew at Fishguard RNLI.

George Bevan, a Helm from Little and Broad Haven Station was selected to be the official flag bearer for the RNLI, and said of his experience:

'Being a flag bearer for the RNLI 200 Service of Thanksgiving in the spectacular setting of St. Davids Cathedral was an absolute privilege. As the grandeur of the cathedral surrounded us, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of awe and gratitude.

'Holding the flag high, I was reminded of the rich history and noble mission of the RNLI, and the countless lives they have saved over two centuries. It was a moment of sheer pride and honour to stand in such a magnificent space, representing an organisation that embodies courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication.

'The setting of St. Davids Cathedral served as a breath-taking backdrop, elevating the significance of the occasion, and making it an experience I will forever cherish'.

A range of other representatives from Little and Broad Haven RNLI were present, including current and former crew, fundraisers and supporters of the station. Also in attendance were members of other emergency services across Wales that support the RNLI, including HM Coastguard.

Little and Broad Haven RNLI Press Officer, Denys Bassett-Jones said:

'It was an absolute privilege to be invited to attend this prestigious service at the Cathedral and to stand in a place of such cultural and historical significance to celebrate two centuries of saving lives at sea, as well as remembering the sacrifices of the brave volunteers that keep our coastlines safe.

'It was also great to share the day with members of our local Coastguard Team from Broad Haven, as we work so closely with them in our lifesaving operations'.

The RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 13,195 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving in Wales, more than one life saved every week in its 200-year history.

Since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews in the country have launched the lifeboats 47,596 times, saving 12,516 lives, while its lifeguards in Wales – who became part of the RNLI’s lifesaving service in 2001 – have responded to 22,647 incidents, saving 679 lives.

In total across the UK and Ireland, 146,452 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact the Little and Broad Haven Press Officer, Denys Bassett-Jones at [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or at [email protected].

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Little and Broad Haven Helm George Bevan proudly carries the RNLI Flag

RNLI/Anya Walton

The RNLI 200 Service at St.Davids Cathedral

RNLI/Anya Walton

Nick Barthorpe, current Lifeboat Volunteer at St Davids Lifeboat Station carries the cross crafted using timber taken from the old St Davids Lifeboat Station, that was built in 1911.

RNLI/Anya Walton

The RNLI 200 Service at St.Davids Cathedral

RNLI/Anya Walton

Members of the clergy and distinguished guests present at the RNLI 200 service at St.Davids Cathedral

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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