The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has launched a new fundraising initiative to mark the charity’s bicentenary next year.

Supported by the RNLI’s corporate partner GJW Direct, All Hands on Deck is a drive to get sailing clubs across the UK and Ireland to create a fundraising event to raise money to support the RNLI’s lifesaving activities.

Representatives from the RNLI and GJW Direct attended the recent Southampton International Boat Show to launch the fundraising initiative. “As a charity, the RNLI is supported by generous donations from the public and our partners,” says Ryan Hall, RNLI head of region for the South East.

“Next year, in our 200th anniversary year, people can get involved with our All Hands on Deck initiative, where we are encouraging sailing clubs to organise a fundraising event to support the RNLI and help protect the future of lifesaving.”

Jeremy Entwistle, from GJW Direct, comments: “All Hands on Deck is an opportunity to get your sailing club involved in the 200th-anniversary commemorations of the RNLI in 2024. 

“You can make an event already in your calendar – be it a race, a cruise or a family fun day or barbecue – an All Hands on Deck event, or create something specifically around the initiative. It can be anything you like for your club to help mark the charity’s bicentenary and raise funds to help the RNLI save lives at sea.”

Sailing clubs are invited to organise a race, connect with other clubs for joint events, or plan a land-based charity day to show support for the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews. Club representatives can sign up via the RNLI website.

In August (2023), the RNLI launched its 200 Voices podcast, releasing an episode every day for 200 days, exploring stories from the charity’s 200-year history.

Image courtesy of the RNLI/YouTube.

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