Today RNLI celebrate their 200 year anniversary!

200 years of watching over the waters and saving lives at sea. This incredible charity organisation is on call 24 hours and the dedicated team behind it have saved countless lives. 

RNLI was founded on 4th March 1824, and then later in 1861, RNLI Penarth’s lifeboat house was built and throughout the years they may have had their ups and downs but have only grown stronger and will continue to protect the coast for many years to come. 

In honour of their anniversary, Penarth town businesses and residents stand behind them in celebration. Shops have decorated their windows in theme, with the classic yellow boot, bunting and posters.

And around the town you will find incredible knitted displays. The post box toppers on Albany Road were created, in honour of the RNLI, by Knit2together, a knitting group that meet weekly at Penarth Library. And the All Saints Knitting Group who have been working hard making bollard covers. It is so great to see the people of Penarth coming together to thank them for all the work they’ve done over these past 200 years. 

Over the past couple of months, RNLI Penarth have been raising money to help support the volunteers through a series of events and activities, with an aim of £20,000. The lifeboat operations manager for Penarth station, Jason Dunlop said, “Having a lifeboat based in Penarth for the last 43 years has been a huge success, and we have plans to mark this important occasion during 2024. We are very much a community station, and we are grateful to everyone that supports the work we do.”

Today, the Penarth volunteer crew will be visiting two local schools with the D-Class boat. And make sure to head over to the town centre at 2:45pm today to see the D-Class and Atlantic 85 B- Class boat pulled through the town centre in tribute to the volunteers of the past years. 

And the celebration doesn’t stop there, tonight at the Penarth Pier they will be hosting an awards ceremony and an auction of RNLI memorabilia. 

The RNLI 200th anniversary celebration hopes to promote some key messages to the community. 

Commemorate. Remembering the remarkable lifesaving history, the volunteers that gave their time and commitment, and those who have supported them over the years.

Celebrate. Recognising this incredible lifesaving service, how far they have come in the past 200 years and promoting their core values and ethos of the organisation.

Inspire. While we celebrate the past 200 years, we also now look into the future. The RNLI hope to continue to welcome new volunteers and supporters, and to innovate and expand their reach.

The fundraising is still going on, so if you’d like to show your support for this incredible, life-saving organisation, then head over to their Just Giving page and if you can’t donate, share this link and help spread the word- https://www.justgiving.com/page/rnlipenarth200?fbclid=IwAR0aTfVTYRIzZPc9qjfPJ7hQRTUdokkf5WzSCoCg-_P023iQeSd3zvApaEA