The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is proud of the lifesaving work their volunteers do in the English Channel – and they make no apology for it.
Those they rescue are vulnerable people in danger and distress. Each of them is someone’s father, mother, son or daughter – for them every life is precious.
The RNLI was actually founded as the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck in 1824. Thirty years later in 1854, we changed our name to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – the RNLI – as we are known today. Having Royal patronage gives gravitas to their cause and is something they’re incredibly proud of and thankful for. It was the RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary’s, aim to provide a 24/7 search and rescue lifeboat service run, where possible, by volunteers and funded by voluntary donations.
Although the service was to be a national service to protect the coasts of the UK and Ireland, Hillary’s vision was to ‘extend its beneficial effects to the most distant shores, and to generations yet unborn.’
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are ready to launch to help those in need. Whether you’re stuck on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. 95% of RNLI lifeboat crews and station staff are volunteers. But it’s not just lifeboats. RNLI lifeguards patrol 248 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, keeping people safe, providing safety advice and rescuing those in trouble. Education volunteers visit schools and swimming clubs to help teach the next generation how to enjoy the water safely. And volunteer fundraisers and shop workers give up their time to generate vital funds.
SUPPORT RNLI’s LIFESAVING WORK – http://bit.ly/RNLI_Donate
VISIT RNLI WEBSITE – http://bit.ly/RNLI_Web
FACEBOOK – http://bit.ly/FacebookRNLI
TWITTER – http://bit.ly/TwitterRNLI
INSTAGRAM – http://bit.ly/InstagramRNLI
LINKEDIN – http://bit.ly/LinkedInRNLI
PINTEREST – http://bit.ly/PinterestRNLI
SNAPCHAT – http://bit.ly/SnapchatRNLI
The RNLI is also working to help communities around the world that are most at risk of drowning. If you spot someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
