Celebrating Workington RNLI in style

Volunteers from Workington RNLI have thanked the people of the town for helping them celebrate the charity’s 200th anniversary.

Crew and fundraisers from Workington Lifeboat Station took over the town centre yesterday, Saturday (4 May), supported by the Carnegie Singers and Nobody’s Friends sea shanty group.

They entertained with music, while people could meet the crew, pick up some water safety tips and buy merchandise to support the RNLI’s work. Volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help save lives at sea.

The event raised almost £1,000. The charity have also got a display in the former Akitts shop in Washington Square, where donations can be left via card.

Workington Lifeboat Station costs around £120,000 and the fundraisers bring in around £30,000 a year from local events and donations.

Tim Chittenden, Workington RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said:

'We are incredibly grateful to the people of Workington for digging deep, as always. We couldn’t operate without their support.

'It was a brilliant day, despite the rain and our thanks also go to the Carnegie Singers and Nobody’s Friends, who entertained with sea shanties and sea-related songs. It was a lovely way to help celebrate the RNLI’s 200th birthday.

'This year our objective is to celebrate, commemorate and inspire. Workington has always given huge support to its lifeboats and crews, we look forward to continuing to serve the community of seafarers and people who use the coast for recreation for many years to come.'

The county has been part of the RNLI from the very start. In 1866 the charity, known as the Royal National Lifeboat Institute since 1854, took over the Whitehaven Lifeboat and started a continuous series of RNLI all-weather lifeboats on this coast which has lasted to the present day.

The duty has passed between Whitehaven (total 59 years), Maryport (total 83 years), and Workington (total 95 years) and still counting.

In 2023, Workington’s volunteer crew responded to 21 callouts off the west coast.

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 142,700 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.