Members of Cumbria’s RNLI have added their names to a scroll that is touring the UK to mark the 200 anniversary of The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The scroll began its journey at Westminster Abbey on the March 4, the RNLI’s 200th birthday, where it was signed by RNLI President, HRH The Duke of Kent, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Dean of Westminster, the RNLI’s Chair and the RNLI’s Chief Executiveand is being passed through lifeboat stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches around the UK and Ireland.

On Saturday, September 14, the scroll, that has been signed by representatives at each location on its route, made its way to Cumbria where volunteers were chosen to add their names.

At Silloth three volunteers from the station were selected to sign the scroll, Senior Helmsman Steven Henderson, Chair of Fundraisers Lesley Hope and Pauline O’Reilly a shop volunteer.

They were the 720th, 721st and 722nd people to sign the scroll.

The representatives selected to sign on behalf of the whole St Bees crew were from all aspects of the station with Branch President Ray Wilkinson, Ladies Guild Christine Wrigley, Helm & Treasurer Alastair Graham, Visits Officer Joe Raymond and Sea Safety Officer Colin Wadey.

At Barrow Lifeboat Station, 174 station, the scroll was signed by Shaun Charnley and Chris Clouter on behalf of the crew and Lifeboat Management Group, Beryl Coles and Clare Rigg from the Barrow Ladies Guild and by Christine Blakemore of the Grange-over-Sands Branch.

Chris Clouter, Barrow Lifeboat Press Officer and Deputy Launch Authority, said: ‘As the RNLI celebrates 200 years since its foundation, 2024 also marks 160 years of Barrow Lifeboats. In that time the dedication and commitment of our volunteer crew has enabled hundreds of lives to be saved and many more who have found themselves in difficulty at sea or around the coast have been helped. The signing of the scroll today reaffirms the commitment of our crews, our fundraisers and all those working behind the scenes to continue to save lives at sea.”

The scroll, which bears the RNLI One Crew Pledge, is held in a bespoke case made with the same materials used to build the lifeboats and the spindle was made using a flagpole from Ramsey lifeboat station that dates back to the early 1890’s.

The RNLI One Crew Pledge reads: ‘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.’

Over the course of seven months, the five-metre-long scroll will pass through 240 RNLI locations around the UK and Ireland before finishing 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 with King Charles III being the final signatory.

When the seven-month-long journey is complete, the scroll will be displayed in the RNLI College in Poole, where the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards are trained.

Ford has provided an All-Electric E-Transit van to transport the scroll on its journey.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to remember its important history and celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.