The Royal National Lifeboat Institution celebrates its 200th anniversary – after saving 146,277 lives

THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution celebrates its 200th anniversary today – after saving 146,277 lives.

A thanksgiving service will be held on Westminster Abbey with representatives from Great Britain and Ireland.

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The RNLI was founded in a London tavern on March 4, 1824.

It followed a call from militia officer Sir William Hillary, who witnessed many shipwrecks off the coast Isle of Man.

Volunteer crews have since launched the boats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives.

Lifeguards, who became part of the RNLI in 2001, have responded to 303,030 coastal incidents, saving 2,000.

For 200 years, an average of two lives have been saved every day by the charity, which now designs and builds its own lifeboats.

A spokesperson said: “Two things have remained the same: the reliance on volunteers, who give their time and dedication to saving others, and the voluntary contributions of the public.”

Mark Dowie, CEO of the RNLI, said: “It is truly remarkable that a charity has been able to survive for 200 years thanks to the time and commitment of volunteers and the enormous generosity of the public who donate to fund it.

“It is thanks to the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the test of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two world wars and, more recently, a global one pandemic.

“Today we celebrate the bicentenary of the RNLI, remembering the achievements and commitment of everyone who has been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries.

“We celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, based on our 200 years of knowledge, expertise and innovation, and we hope to inspire future generations of lifesaving people and supporters who will take the RNLI into the next century and beyond .”