Longhope Lifeboat Guild celebrates 65th Anniversary on 08 March 2025
On 08 May 1960 the Longhope Lifeboat Guild held its first meeting. Today, sixty five years later, the Guild is still going strong and continues to raise funds for the RNLI.
The Ladies Lifeboat Guild, officially founded in 1921, has a long and proud history of supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) through dedicated fundraising efforts. The origins of this movement date back to 1886 when Charles and Marion Macara organised the first recorded charity street collection; Lifeboat Saturday. Marion Macara played a pivotal role in mobilising women to assist with the event and later established committees in Manchester and Salford to raise further funds.
The formation of the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild was officially announced by the Prince of Wales at the RNLI’s annual meeting in May 1921. The guild was formally inaugurated the following month at Claridge’s Hotel, with the Duchess of Portland, a longstanding supporter, serving as its first president. This initiative united the existing women's committees across the country under one organised network.
The Longhope Branch of the Ladies Lifeboat Guild was established on 08 March, 1960 with Mrs. Jean Swanson of Oljaren, Melsetter, elected as the first president. In time, the branch evolved into the Longhope Lifeboat Guild to reflect its inclusive volunteer base of both men and women.
Today, under the leadership of President Trish Avis, the Longhope Lifeboat Guild continues to thrive. With twenty eight dedicated members ranging from nineteen to eighty five years old, the guild meets four times a year to organise fundraising events that engage the local community.
Trish Avis highlights the camaraderie and dedication that drive the guild’s success: ‘Longhope Lifeboat Guild are a great bunch of folk who never fail to put everything in to any fundraising events that we decide to do, be it bazaars, open days, sponsored walk, cheese and wine evenings the list is endless. On top of which we all get along so well and have a good old laugh along the way. It makes volunteering so worthwhile and of course we are supporting our own station as well as the RNLI which is why we do it in the end!’
The RNLI is a charity that relies entirely on public donations to continue its vital mission of saving lives at sea. Without these essential funds, there would be no equipment, no lifeboats, and no means to rescue those in danger. The dedication of fundraisers like the Longhope Lifeboat Guild is crucial in ensuring that lifeboat crews can continue their lifesaving work in the treacherous waters surrounding Orkney. Every supporter, volunteer, and donor plays an invaluable role in the RNLI family, and their commitment makes all the difference in keeping mariners safe.
Congratulations to Longhope Lifeboat Guild on celebrating your 65th anniversary, and thank you for everything you do for the RNLI and our community.
Notes to editors
· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Longhope Lifeboat Station (rnli.org)
RNLI media contacts
Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07703 688066, [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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