The RNLI is marking its 200th anniversary, and celebrating the legacy of volunteers who have saved an incredible 146,277 lives in the UK and Ireland since the charity’s founding.
Events have been taking place across Ireland and the UK to celebrate the anniversary, including at the north’s 10 lifeboat stations, where the boats have been launched 9,472 times, saving a total of 1,535 lives so far.
An additional 47 lives have been saved along the north’s coastline since the charity introduced beach lifeguards in 2011.
Volunteers from across the north’s RNLI stations gathered at Belfast Harbour to mark the charity’s two centuries of saving lives.
The RNLI was founded in 1824 following an appeal from author and philanthropist Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks.
Speaking at the Belfast event, RNLI Trustee Paddy McLaughlin, who is also a volunteer at Red Bay RNLI in Cushendall, said: “It is an honour and a privilege to see and be a part of this lifesaving organisation as it reaches its bicentenary. For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable.
“It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time.
He added: “We are immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity here in Northern Ireland – our volunteers, supporters and staff. This is our watch and it is our role to keep our charity safe and secure so it can continue to save lives into the future, as we strive in our vision to save every one.”
