THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution celebrates its 200th anniversary today — after saving 146,277 lives.

       A service of thanksgiving will be held at Westminster Abbey with representatives from the UK and Ireland.

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       The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is celebrating its 200th anniversary Credit: PA

       The RNLI was founded in a London tavern on March 4, 1824.

       It followed an appeal by militia officer Sir William Hillary, who witnessed many shipwrecks off the Isle of Man.

       Volunteer crews have since launched the boats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives.

       Lifeguards, who became part of the RNLI in 2001, have responded to 303,030 coastal incidents, saving 2,000.

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       An average of two lives a day have been saved for 200 years by the charity, which now designs and builds its own lifeboats.

       A spokesman said: “Two things have remained the same — the dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public.”

       Mark Dowie, RNLI chief executive, said: “For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable.

       “It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two World Wars and, more recently, a global pandemic.

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       “Today, we mark the bicentenary of the RNLI, we remember the achievements and commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries.

       “We celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, based on our 200 years of learning, expertise and innovation, and we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond.”

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