The RNLI team from Farnham, Haslemere & Godalming celebrated the 200th anniversary of the organisation with a scroll signing ceremony.

The scroll, which will be sent to over 250 branches of the RNLI all across the UK came sealed inside a custom orange buoyant briefcase.

Inside the briefcase is a scroll made from bamboo paper and the spindle ends are from a 19th-century flag pole from the Isle of Man. The scroll will have a permanent home in the RNLI college in Poole.

The RNLI Scroll began its journey on Monday, March 4 2024 at Westminster Abbey to mark the charity’s official 200th anniversary. It was signed by the RNLI President, HRH Duke of Kent, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Dean of Westminster and leading RNLI representatives.

On this scroll is the RNLI’s One Crew pledge, in which the RNLI promises to save every person that they can, without judgment – staying true to Sir William Hillary’s vision when he founded the charity in 1824.

The Chairs for the Farnham, Haslemere & Godalming branches were signatures number 83,84 and 85 of the scroll.

The scroll then headed off to two more branches in Alton and Romsey.

All branches are continuing to support the RNLI through various fundraising efforts with several local branches holding events this year in celebration. The Farnham branch is organising a quiz night on April 20 and an afternoon Bridge session in August.

The Godalming branch is holding a sponsored abseil down Guildford Cathedral on June 15 while the Haslemere branch is holding an open garden on June 9. The local branches at Alton and Petersfield are also having celebratory events. 

Since the RLNI was first founded in 1824 the registered charity has saved more than 144,000 lives at sea.