The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is set to host its ‘Coast to Cobbles’ finale at Salford Quays on October 10, commemorating its 200th year in the North West.
- The event invites the public to engage in various activities, including exploring a lifeboat and learning about the history of lifesaving.
- A time capsule, passed along the North West coast by RNLI crews, will be sealed at the event for 50 years.
- This occasion celebrates the lifeboat community’s acts of heroism and aims to inspire future generations of RNLI supporters.
- The event coincides with the anniversary of the world’s first street collection for the RNLI, enhancing its historical significance.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) ‘Coast to Cobbles’ campaign will culminate in a public celebration at Salford Quays on October 10. This significant event marks the end of a journey that saw a time capsule travel down the North West coast. It provides an opportunity for the community to reflect on the RNLI’s two centuries of lifesaving efforts in the region.
Those attending the event will have a chance to engage directly with the RNLI’s history and current operations. Visitors can board lifeboats, view a heritage vessel, and learn about the evolution of lifesaving from past to present. There will also be entertainment, including music and refreshments, making it a family-friendly occasion.
Central to the event is the time capsule, a symbolic collection of keepsakes from various RNLI crews. As it passes from lifeboat to lifeboat, each crew contributes to its contents. The final items will be added upon its arrival at Salford Quays, after which it will be sealed for 50 years and displayed at the Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Museum.
Sophie Wood, the RNLI community manager, highlights the significance of the event, stating, “For 200 years, we’ve relied on the generosity of everyday people—from seafaring crew to fundraisers and supporters. They’re all lifesavers and make the RNLI in the North West what it is, so this is for them.”
The journey of the capsule through Cumbria and Lancashire involved eleven lifeboat stations, culminating in Liverpool at Albert Dock. The capsule’s conveyance utilised a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat powered by eco-friendly Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), donated by Certas Energy. This journey covers 11 days, positioning the capsule in Greater Manchester by the anniversary date of October 10.
The ‘Coast to Cobbles’ event not only celebrates the RNLI’s rich history but also looks forward to inspiring future support for lifesaving efforts.
