
RNLI ‘Connecting Communities’ 200th Anniversary Scroll arrives in Stonehaven
Saturday 20th July saw the arrival of the RNLI 200th Anniversary scroll at Stonehaven RNLI station.
Throughout 2024 the RNLI 200th Anniversary scroll is travelling around the UK and Ireland, from one RNLI community to another in a relay-style event as a tangible representation of the connection between all RNLI stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches.
Andy Martin, Stonehaven Lifeboat Operations Manager commented:
‘We were delighted to welcome the Connecting Communities 200th Anniversary scroll to Stonehaven and for our representatives and station to be recorded as a permanent and enduring part of the charity’s history.’
The honour of signing the scroll on behalf of the volunteer crew went to George Craig. George recently received his 20 year long service medal from the RNLI. He volunteered with Stonehaven RNLI from 1973 until it closed in 1984 and when it was re-established in 2013 he was one of the first to offer his services.
Roberta Duncan signed on behalf of the Stonehaven RNLI volunteer fundraisers. Roberta joined the Fundraising committee in 1997 and has been the Treasurer and Chairperson since 2000. She is also Treasurer for the current Lifeboat station.
The Scroll bears the RNLI pledge: ‘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.’
It began its journey on Monday 4 March 2024, at a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey and will finish 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. It will then be displayed at the RNLI College in Poole.
Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director overseeing the RNLI’s 200th anniversary programmes, said:
‘The Connecting our Communities relay is one of the most significant events of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year as it’s all about our people. For 200 years, it is people who have made the RNLI what it is. Everything about the scroll – from the design and materials, to the wording printed on it and the locations it’s travelling to – reflects the communities we serve. By the end of the relay we will have an important document which will become part of the charity’s history and a significant snapshot of the charity as it stands at 200 years old.’
Notes to editors
· A RNLI station was re-established at Stonehaven in 2013 with the placing on service of a B-Class Atlantic 75. The current Inshore lifeboat is an Atlantic 85 B-Class the ‘Jamie Hunter’
· This year sees the 200th Anniversary of the establishment of the RNLI
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Anna Carlton, Stonehaven RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07530 338562 or [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, Regional Communications Manager on 07826 900639 or [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, Regional Communications Lead on 07920 365929 or [email protected]
Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland on [email protected]
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.