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St Bees RNLI celebrate 200 years of the lifesaving charity with special dinner

Lifeboats News Release

On Saturday, October 12 2024, St Bees RNLI proudly hosted a celebratory dinner at The Seacote Hotel to commemorate 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

RNLI/Joseph Raymond

Members of St Bees RNLI with their families

Lifeboat crew members, their families, and local supporters gathered for an evening filled with celebration and live music. The event was well attended, with a wide range of guests, including both past and present crew members, as well as local RNLI supporters.

The Seacote Hotel staff ensured a smooth and enjoyable evening, serving three delicious courses and managing the event seamlessly. Live music from the talented Soul Survivors kept the celebration going well into the evening, with guests dancing the night away.

In addition to the food and music, a prize raffle was held, featuring generous donations from local businesses. St Bees RNLI would like to extend their thanks to Emma Wralls Wealth Management, The Queens, and The Manor for their kind contributions.

A standout moment of the night was the stunning cake created by Gill Burgess, a beautiful tribute to the RNLI’s 200-year legacy. The cake served as the perfect centrepiece for the evening.

Dick Beddows, Lifeboat Operations Manager for St Bees RNLI, expressed his pride and gratitude, saying:

'The event was well attended and was an excellent opportunity to celebrate the history of the RNLI.

'It was wonderful to see our crew, both past and present, along with local supporters coming together to reflect on the incredible work the charity has done over the last 200 years - and to celebrate many more years of lifesaving.'

St Bees RNLI would like to extend a special thanks to The Seacote Hotel for hosting the event and to everyone who attended, as well as those behind the scenes who contributed to making the evening such a success.

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact, Joe Raymond RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07912040216 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Joseph Raymond

Members of St Bees RNLI with their families

RNLI/Joseph Raymond

Historical memorabilia from St Bees RNLI including news releases from past shouts and training logs dating back to the1970s.

RNLI/Joseph Raymond

The fabulous cake kindly provided by Gill Burgess

RNLI/Joseph Raymond

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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