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RNLI 200th anniversary scroll relay concludes in the Isle of Man

Lifeboats News Release

Today (Friday 25 October), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has completed its 200th anniversary ‘Connecting our Communities’ scroll relay in the Isle of Man, where Chief Executive Peter Sparkes has signed the penultimate signature in the birthplace of the lifesaving charity.

Douglas RNLI volunteer Coxswain, Emily Heaton and Port Erin Mechanic Jason Fleming with the scroll at the Tower of Refuge

RNLI/Chris Smith

Douglas RNLI volunteer Coxswain, Emily Heaton and Port Erin Mechanic Jason Fleming with the scroll at the Tower of Refuge
Over the past 236 days, the seven-metre-long scroll, which bears the RNLI pledge, has travelled around over 18,000 miles around 292 RNLI communities – lifeboat stations, lifeguard units, fundraising branches and shops – across the UK, Ireland and Crown Dependencies. With over 900 representatives from the charity inscribing their names on the historic document.

All this week the scroll has been visiting each of the Manx Lifeboat Stations and this evening, a sold-out RNLI 200th Gala Dinner will be taking place at Villa Marina, Royal Hall celebrating 200 years of RNLI lifesaving in the Isle of Man. Thank you to Ørsted the headline sponsor of this event which will see all funds raised going towards the vital operations of the RNLI across the island.

The week began with the first visit to Peel Lifeboat Station on Sunday (20 October) morning, where it was signed by Jason Spooner from the Visits Team, Carole Noble from the Fundraising Crew, Andy Colgan from the Shop Team, Claire Hamer Water Safety Officer, and Kieran Connell representing the operational crew. It then travelled to Port St Mary RNLI that afternoon where it was signed by John Payne, Ruth Quillin-Creamer, Morgan Guy, Brian Kelly and Laura Cordner.

On Monday it paid a short visit to the former RNLI station based in Castletown. Then on Tuesday it went to Port Erin Lifeboat Station where it was signed by Lewis Ridgway, Jason Fleming, Michele Farrar, Tony Mitchell and Thomas Mooney. Yesterday afternoon it was at Ramsey Lifeboat Station and Shop, where it was signed by Laurence New, Andy Collins, Mary Page and Mark Kenyon. And yesterday evening it visited Douglas Lifeboat Station for the final set of RNLI volunteer signatures to be inscribed on the scroll. It was signed by Gilli Cowley, Emily Heaton and Peter Cain.

Allen Corlett, Peel RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager and Chair of the RNLI 200th Panel said:

‘The Connecting our Communities scroll has highlighted the vast network of RNLI lifesaving communities, each playing their part in saving lives at sea. We’re honoured to host the final leg of the relay journey here in the Isle of Man and to welcome Peter, our new Chief Executive, to the birthplace of the institution as he leads our charity into its third century of lifesaving.

‘Throughout the year we’ve come together as one crew to commemorate our past, celebrate where we are today and inspire the next generation of lifesavers… and the year is not up yet!

‘As the Chair of the Isle of Man RNLI 200th Panel I would like to thank each and every one of our selfless volunteers, who’ve met this year with such energy and enthusiasm. Thank you to our 200th partners and to all the supporters who’ve joined us in celebrations all year. Without you we could not continue our lifesaving work.’

The ‘Connecting our Communities’ scroll relay sponsor, Ford, have provided an All-Electric E-Transit van to transport the scroll on its journey. The scroll started its journey at Westminster Abbey on 4 March 2024 following a Service of Thanksgiving, which was held there to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. Today, its journey ends in the Isle of Man, home to the RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary.

The first signatures on the scroll before it departed Westminster Abbey included the charity’s President, HRH The Duke of Kent; the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Dean of Westminster; the RNLI’s Chair, Janet Legrand, and the RNLI’s then Chief Executive, Mark Dowie.

Today in the Isle of Man in Douglas City Hall, the RNLI’s new Chief Executive Peter Sparkes is the penultimate signatory. After this week, the scroll is now set to make its way back to London where it is hoped it will be signed by the charity’s Patron, His Majesty The King. After which the scroll will go on display at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, where the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards are trained.

Peter said: ‘I feel very honoured and privileged to be the penultimate signatory on the scroll and it is especially poignant that I am adding my signature here in Douglas, the birthplace of the RNLI.

‘Thank you to the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Natalie Byron-Teare, and the City of Douglas for hosting a special event to mark the end of the scroll’s journey with representatives from all five RNLI lifeboat stations and fundraising communities on the Isle of Man.

‘This is a special year for both the RNLI and Douglas – my congratulations to the city for its recently granted city status. The RNLI is proud to serve the island, and we look forward to continuing our lifesaving heritage here for generations to come.’

Mayor of Douglas, Natalie Byron-Teare said: ‘There is no better way to sum up the rich nautical heritage of the Isle of Man than by the lifesaving and fundraising work the RNLI carries out in Manx seas and the countless hours given by loyal volunteer lifeboat crews in our community.

‘Ever since Sir William Hilary, then a Douglas resident, saw first-hand the treacherous nature of the sea and pledged to save lives by forming this truly wonderful institution, our Island has been the foundation for what has followed.

‘As a tangible representation of the connection between all RNLI stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches, it is most fitting that this scroll concludes its journey in Douglas, the birthplace of the RNLI. Douglas City Council is delighted to welcome the Connecting our Communities 200th anniversary scroll to be recorded as a permanent and enduring part of the charity’s history.’

This evening the scroll will be on display during the Gala Dinner and tomorrow (Saturday 26 October) it will be on display to the public at the House of Manannan, Peel, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

The RNLI pledge reads: ‘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.’

Beneath the pledge, printed in seven languages including Manx (Manx, English, Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots, and Cornish), it says: ‘Signed in 2024 by representatives of the RNLI’s lifesaving communities, on behalf of all who strive to save every one.’

The scroll was made bespoke, involving RNLI craftspeople and using materials of significance to the charity. Apprentices from the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre on the Isle of Wight made the protective fibreglass casing and set the scroll spindles and accessories into the case.

The wooden handle, made by a carpenter from the RNLI’s All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole (where the charity builds and maintains its all-weather lifeboats), is carved from the wood of an old flagpole from Ramsey Lifeboat Station.

Kevin Christian, Ramsey Lifeboat Operations Manager said:

‘The crafted spindle ends are from a 19th-century flagpole from Ramsey Lifeboat Station. This flagpole dates back to the early 1890s, when Ramsey's Norbury Boathouse was built. For our station’s flagpole to be used for such a historic and special item is a real honour. The volunteers that served Ramsey RNLI in the 1890s have the same commitment to saving lives at sea as the volunteers that launch today, and we hope that continues for generations to come.’

Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, who is overseeing the RNLI’s 200th anniversary programmes, said:

‘The Connecting our Communities relay has been one of the most significant events of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year as it’s been all about our people. For 200 years, it is people who have made the RNLI what it is – from our brave lifesavers who risk their lives to save others, to the committed fundraisers and generous donors who fund our lifesaving work.

‘We’re overjoyed with the response we have seen from our lifeboat crews, lifeguards and fundraisers. So many have taken part in this event, resulting in a wonderful artefact which marks such an important moment in the charity’s history – 200 years of saving lives at sea – and something which will have historical significance in the years to come as it gives us a snapshot of all those involved in saving lives at sea today.’

Founded on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has been saving lives at sea for 200 years. Since the charity was founded, the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers, and the charity’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK, Ireland and Crown Dependencies, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.

Notes to Editors

Media contacts

For more information, please contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

The event in City Hall, Douglas

Matt Mosur

The event in City Hall, Douglas
RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes adding his signature

Matt Mosur

RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes adding his signature
The scroll in its special case

Matt Mosur

The scroll spindles are made from an old flagpole from Ramsey Lifeboat Station
Ruth Quillin-Creamer Port St Mary Fundraising Chair signing the scroll

RNLI

Ruth Quillin-Creamer Port St Mary Fundraising Chair signing the scroll
Peel RNLI volunteers with the scroll

RNLI

Peel RNLI volunteers with the scroll

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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