Today marks the 249th birthday of Sir William Hillary, the founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. In 1823 Sir William made an impassioned appeal to the nation, calling for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea, and in 1824 the RNLI was founded. | RNLI

As Christmas approaches, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging people to take care as statistics show lifeboats will launch over 100 times during the festive period* to help those in need. Figures over the last 10 years for the festive period show that RNLI lifeboats will launch on average 111 times, and aid 55 people back to safety with many volunteers having their festive celebrations interrupted. Andy Doe, RNLI Hastings Coxswain said: ‘This Christmas, many RNLI lifesavers w

Commemorate the life of someone you miss by sharing their name on the side of a Shannon class RNLI lifeboat. | RNLI

We have a wonderful opportunity for you to remember a loved one in a unique and special way – by adding their name onto the side of a brand new Shannon class lifeboat. To find out more on how to launch a memory go to: http://rnli.info/o1zs5V | RNLI

The wonderful crew at Whitby RNLI lifeboat are excited to announce that their station has been chosen as the location for the next Launch a Memory lifeboat! Celebrate the life of a loved one by adding their names in the letters and numbers printed on their side of their new Shannon class lifeboat. Make a donation on our website to add your loved one: https://rnli.social/3UUgE3Y #LaunchAMemory #Whitby #WhitbyRNLI #Celebrate #Yorkshire #Remember #ShannonClass #Lifeboat #WhitbyLifeboat #Lifeboats #