VOLUNTEERS and staff from Hoylake RNLI lifeboat station marked the charity's 200th anniversary with a special photograph
The RNLI, founded in 1824, asked its volunteers and staff around the coast and inshore waters to assemble and create a photograph of the people who help the charity to save lives in their local area at 18:24 on 1/8/24.
Hoylake Lifeboat station's team gathered on the slipway in front of the building to have its picture taken.
Hoylake lifeboat, tractor and shore crews, station officials, fundraisers, and shop, visits and water safety volunteers were captured in a unique aerial photograph, which will feature alongside images from across the RNLI in a commemorative montage.
With the station's staff and volunteers assembled, John Curry, chairman of the Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI Management Group, read out the RNLI’s One Crew Pledge.
"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."
The RNLI celebrated its 200th anniversary on March 4 this year, and this photographic moment is one of a range of events and programmes that the charity has organised to mark its bicentenary. Hoylake RNLI marked the occasion by joining a flotilla of the region’s lifeboats in the River Mersey.
Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, who is overseeing the RNLI’s 200th anniversary programmes, said: "The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for 200 years thanks to its incredible people - the courageous lifeboat crews and lifeguards who put their own lives at risk to save others; the dedicated fundraisers who raise the income to power those rescues; the committed volunteers who give their own time in a range of other roles such as giving out water safety advice or helping to run our retail shops and museums, and the staff who provide vital support to our volunteers.
"We have encouraged anyone who has some form of involvement with the RNLI to participate in this special One Moment for One Crew photographic event, to capture a record of everyone who, at this moment in time, is playing some part in the RNLI’s lifesaving work, continuing its legacy and securing its future."
Anjie continued: "During our 200th anniversary year we have been remembering our past, celebrating the lifesaving service we provide today, and aiming to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters.
"One Moment for One Crew is very much about celebrating the people of today’s RNLI and, we hope, inspiring those future generations who will take the RNLI into its third century of lifesaving."
Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.
Hoylake Lifeboat Station was founded in 1803 and is one of the oldest lifeboat stations in the UK, pre-dating the RNLI by 21 years.
It operates the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood and Inshore Rescue Hovercraft Hurley Spirit.
For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.
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