By Anna Carlton RNLI
Saturday 20th July saw the arrival of the RNLI 200th Anniversary scroll at Stonehaven RNLI station.
Throughout 2024 the RNLI 200th Anniversary scroll is travelling around the UK and Ireland, from one RNLI community to another in a relay-style event as a tangible representation of the connection between all RNLI stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches.
Andy Martin, Stonehaven Lifeboat Operations Manager commented: ‘We were delighted to welcome the Connecting Communities 200th Anniversary scroll to Stonehaven and for our representatives and station to be recorded as a permanent and enduring part of the charity’s history.’
The honour of signing the scroll on behalf of the volunteer crew went to George Craig. George recently received his 20 year long service medal from the RNLI. He volunteered with Stonehaven RNLI from 1973 until it closed in 1984 and when it was re-established in 2013 he was one of the first to offer his services.
Roberta Duncan signed on behalf of the Stonehaven RNLI volunteer fundraisers. Roberta joined the Fundraising committee in 1997 and has been the Treasurer and Chairperson since 2000. She is also Treasurer for the current Lifeboat station.
The Scroll bears the RNLI pledge: ‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us. This is our watch, we lead the way, valuing each other, trusting each other, depending on one another, volunteering to face the storm together. Knowing that, with courage, nothing is impossible. That is what has always driven us to save every one we can. It’s what makes every one of us a lifesaver.’
It began its journey on Monday 4 March 2024, at a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey and will finish its journey in October at Douglas on the Isle of Man, which was home to the RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary. By this time it will carry around 700 signatures. It will then be displayed at the RNLI College in Poole.
Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director overseeing the RNLI’s 200th anniversary programmes, said: ‘’The Connecting our Communities relay is one of the most significant events of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year as it’s all about our people.
”For 200 years, it is people who have made the RNLI what it is. Everything about the scroll – from the design and materials, to the wording printed on it and the locations it’s travelling to – reflects the communities we serve.
”By the end of the relay we will have an important document which will become part of the charity’s history and a significant snapshot of the charity as it stands at 200 years old.’’