RNLI 200 All Hands On Deck launch, supported by GJW Direct

RNLI 200 All Hands On Deck launch (l-r) Sam Hughes, Ryan Hall, Jez Entwistle © Mark Jardine

In 2024, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will have been saving lives at sea for 200 years and, to mark the milestone, the charity is inviting sailing clubs to celebrate with them.

All Hands on Deck, supported by the RNLI's corporate partner GJW Direct, is a drive to get sailing clubs across the UK and Ireland to create a fundraising event to ensure the lifesaving organisation can be there for generations of sailors to come.

Representatives from the RNLI and GJW Direct attended Southampton International Boat Show to launch the fundraising initiative.

RNLI Head of Region for the South East Ryan Hall said: 'As a charity, the RNLI is supported by generous donations from the public and our partners.

'Next year in our 200th anniversary year, people can get involved with out All Hands on Deck initiative, where we are encouraging sailing clubs to organise a fundraising event to support the RNLI and help protect the future of lifesaving.'

Jeremy Entwistle from GJW Direct said: 'All Hands on Deck is an opportunity to get your sailing club involved in the 200th anniversary commemorations of the RNLI in 2024.

'You can make an event already in your calendar - be it a race, a cruise or a family fun day or barbecue - an All Hands on Deck event, or create something specifically around the initiative. It can be anything you like for your club to help mark the charity's bicentenary and raise funds to help the RNLI save lives at sea.'

Sailing clubs are invited to organise a race, connect with other clubs for joint events or to plan a land-based charity day to show support for the RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crews.

Club representatives can visit RNLI.ORG/200SAIL to sign up, and the RNLI will be in touch with further details on how to set up.