RNLI completes 200th anniversary scroll relay

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 200^th anniversary. Today, its journey has ended on the Isle of Man, which was 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. The RNLI’s new Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes, concluded the signatures today on the Isle of Man, along with representatives from the RNLI at Douglas.

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 (English, Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots, Manx, 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 event sponsor, Ford, provided an All-Electric E-Transit van to transport the scroll on its journey. Now its journey is complete, the scroll will be displayed in the RNLI College in Poole, where the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards are trained.

The scroll was made bespoke, involving RNLI craftspeople and using materials of significance to the charity. The wooden handle was made by a carpenter from the RNLI’s All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole (where the charity builds and maintains its all-weather lifeboats), using wood from an old flagpole from Ramsey lifeboat station on the Isle of Man. 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.

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

‘The Connecting our Communities relay has been one of the most significant events of the RNLI’s 200^th 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 and Ireland, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK. 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 200^th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.

Notes to Editors

• Images of the scroll are available here. Please credit RNLI.

Media contacts

For more information, contact Laura Haslam, RNLI National Media Manager, on [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

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.

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