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Teignmouth RNLI volunteers send memorial wreath on its way to Paddington

Lifeboats News Release

Today, Monday 11 November, volunteers from Teignmouth Lifeboat Station handed over a specially created poppy wreath to travel on the Great Western Railway, Poppies to Paddington service, which stopped at Teignmouth Train Station.

RNLI/Amy Furlong

Teignmouth Lifeboat volunteers with handmade poppy wreath

The initiative, which has become an annual tradition since its launch during the pandemic, brings together communities from across England and Wales to honour those who have served in the armed forces by placing wreaths on trains bound for London Paddington.

RNLI volunteers from across the GWR network joined the operation by placing commemorative wreaths on board early-morning services, at 90 stations along the route. Including volunteer Launch Authority, Crew, Fundraisers, Visits Officers and Engagement Crew from Teignmouth Lifeboat Station.

Now in its fifth year, the Poppies to Paddington operation features 10 GWR trains carrying hundreds of wreaths from RNLI communities across the network. On arrival in London, the wreaths will be laid at Paddington station’s war memorial on Platform 1 ahead of a special service of remembrance. The wreaths were accompanied on their journey by RNLI military veterans Simon Jeffery, Coxswain at Plymouth RNLI and Tony Rendle, mechanic at Penlee RNLI.

RNLI Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes, said: “We are deeply honoured to be part of the Poppies to Paddington service this year. With so many of our lifeboat stations and inland fundraising branches located along the GWR network, it’s a fitting way for our volunteers to participate in this national Act of Remembrance alongside the Armed Forces.

“The wreaths placed onboard will represent our RNLI communities who save lives at sea, honouring those crew who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the past 200 years of the RNLI, including World War I and II.’

GWR Operations Director, Richard Rowland, said: “We were really proud to partner with the RNLI earlier this year as part of its celebrations marking 200 years of saving lives at sea and it’s wonderful they’ll be supporting our fifth Poppies to Paddington operation. 

‘Poppies to Paddington involves 10 train services covering the length and breadth of the Great Western network, including the use our Night Riviera sleeper service from Penzance for the first time, and it promises to be another poignant occasion at London Paddington.’

The RNLI’s partnership with GWR was launched this year as part of the charity’s 200th anniversary and was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative RNLI 200 livery on a GWR train in May.

The wreath handed over by representatives from Teignmouth Lifeboat was specially made using handmade knitted and crocheted poppies which were donated by volunteers and supporters of Teignmouth RNLI. Anne Steele Arnett who oversaw the creation of the handcrafted wreath said, ‘it’s fantastic to be able to create something so personal to Teignmouth, made with the donations of volunteers, their hard work is evident in the beautiful poppies received – its an honour to know the wreath is on its way to a special service’.

HM Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Gordon Evans and Mayor of Teignmouth, Cllr Cate Williams were also in attendance at the Train Station this morning handing over wreaths for the commemorative service. Rev'd Carol Green said a few words to mark the occasion in front of a small crowd who had joined to send the poppies on their way. RNLI Teignmouth representative in attendance remarked ‘it was a wonderful moment to be a part of on this special day in recognition of those who have sacrificed their lives’.

The RNLI’s participation holds special significance as its connection to the armed forces and acts of bravery during wartime are woven into the charity’s history. Lifeboat crews continued to save lives throughout both World Wars, and many of today’s volunteers and staff are either current or ex-service personnel.

During the First World War, many young lifeboat crew members left their stations to fight, causing the average age of the lifeboat crews left at home to increase to over 50. During the war years (1914-18), RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times, saving 5,332 lives.

In 1939, lifeboat volunteers were called away again to war. Nevertheless, by the end of the Second World War in 1945, RNLI crews had saved 6,376 lives around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.

RNLI/Amy Furlong

RNLI Volunteer Crew Sean Bromfield handing over commemorative wreath

RNLI/Amy Furlong

Rev'd Carol Green with the poppy wreaths before their journey

RNLI/Amy Furlong

RNLI/Amy Furlong

RNLI/Amy Furlong

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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