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Anniversary celebrations gave RNLI 'big boost'

BBC People gather for the RNLI 200 ceremony on Douglas Promenade. Some people wear yellow RNLI coats, an flag is held up by the city's Mayor. It is a hazy day.BBC
An anniversary service was held in March to honour the service's bicentenary

The RNLI has been given a "big boost" thanks to events held to mark the charity's 200th birthday, the chairman of the Isle of Man's anniversary panel said.

Allen Corlett, who is also lifeboat operations manager in Peel, said volunteers had "really felt the incredible warmth and support there is for the RNLI".

Sir William Hillary founded the RNLI after witnessing several shipwrecks off the Manx coast while living in Douglas.

Fundraising events during 2024 have been held to recognise the skill, efforts and sacrifices made by crews and volunteers.

From his home at Fort Anne in the Manx capital, Sir William petitioned George IV for more support for seafarers.

Sir William was born on 4 January 1771 and died on 5 January 1847.

A service in January at St George's Church in Douglas recognised his "amazing vision".

Sir William Hillary was living on the island when he came up with the idea for the service

On 4 March - the exact 200th anniversary of the RNLI's formation - a seafront ceremony on Douglas promenade co-incided with events across the UK.

Meanwhile, a year-long exhibition at the House of Manannan also celebrated Manx ties with the charity.

Fundraising in aid of the organisation included donations from a specially crafted ale at the island's annual beer festival, and a challenge which saw a walker twice tackle the Isle of Man's coastline.

Mr Corlett said an 18,000-mile scroll relay, which gathered more than 900 signatures from representatives across the British Isles and ended on the island in October, "illustrated the significance of the island in the RNLI's story".

RNLI/Chris Smith Two RNLI crew, a man and a woman, wearing their protective yellow suits and red lifejackets. They are both holding onto an orange fiberglass case with the writing "RNLI 200" on the side, which contains the scroll. They are standing in front of a small, castle-like building on an island in the sea.RNLI/Chris Smith
Volunteers Emily Heaton and Jason Fleming accompanied the anniversary scroll to the Tower of Refuge

He said the aims of the year had been "to commemorate our past, celebrate the RNLI as we find it today, and inspire future volunteers and supporters.

"In the island we had a fourth aim: to promote the island beyond our shores and be a central part of the anniversary."

Mr Corlett added that "entirely with the support of our community, we've undoubtedly succeeded in achieving them" and noted an unexpected income boost to the charity of about 15%.

Looking to the future, Mr Corlett said it was "vital" the RNLI maintained its service.

"The nature of rescue is changing, but there are still people every day around the coast of the British Isles who are in need of help.

"There are many, many people who would die each year without the RNLI."

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