RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institute is a charity that saves lives at sea. Instantly recognisable and on call 24/7 365 days of the year, the RNLI and its volunteers put their lives on the line to save any sea-goer who gets into difficulty.

The RNLI was originally founded as the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck in 1824. Thirty years later in 1854 the name was changed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – or as more commonly known today, the RNLI.

“Having Royal patronage gives gravitas to our cause and is something we’re incredibly proud of and thankful for.”

It was 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.”