Visit of RNLI scroll marks charity's 200th birthday

17 May 2024

Guy CampbellBBC News, Suffolk

News image — A scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, is being delivered to lifeboat stations, shops, lifeguard units and fundraising branches around the UK and Ireland

GUY CAMPBELL/BBC A lifeboat coxswain in uniform holds an orange box containing the scroll alongside a woman in a blue dress and a man in dark trousers — A scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, is being delivered to lifeboat stations, shops, lifeguard units and fundraising branches around the UK and Ireland

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stations and shops have been taking part in the charity's relay-style event.

A scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge to save lives at sea, is being delivered around the UK and Ireland as part of the Connecting our Communities event.

It is being signed by representatives at each location on its route to mark they charity's 200th anniversary.

This week, the scroll is in Suffolk and will be in Lowestoft later, having already visited Aldeburgh and Southwold.

GUY CAMPBELL/BBC A paper scroll featuring dozens of signatures is contained in a sturdy box — Over the course of seven months, the five-metre-long scroll will pass through 240 RNLI locations before finishing its journey in October at Douglas on the Isle of Man

The scroll arrived at the Southwold lifeboat station on Thursday where it was signed by helm Sam Doy, chairwoman of fundraising Lisa Cooper-Dann and shop volunteer Ian Dabbs.

Earlier it had been delivered to Aldeburgh and on Friday it is due to arrive at Lowestoft.

Mr Doy, who last year celebrated two decades of voluntary service to the RNLI said: "It means a lot to me to be asked to sign this scroll and it's amazing how far we've come with the advanced boats and better training over the years."

Ms Cooper-Dann said: "The 200th anniversary has been a huge boost for fundraising because it's raised awareness, which is really key for the charity.

"Even if you just donate £5 it goes towards supporting these guys to be able to help people who are in trouble at sea, which is so important."

The scroll began its journey on 4 March at a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

After it completes its journey, the scroll will be displayed in the RNLI College in Poole, where the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards are trained.

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