Highland congregation celebrates 200 years of the RNLI

A coastal community celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea with a service of thanksgiving to mark two centuries of service from the volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Sunday's service at Assynt Church in Lochinver, which remains one of Scotland's most important fishing ports, was attended by several local RNLI volunteers and fundraisers, who are vital to the charity's continued service.

Karen Stewart, who chairs the RNLI Lochinver Station Lifeboat Management Group and is deputy chair of the RNLI Scottish Council, led the crew, fundraisers, and supporters in the One Crew pledge, outlining the spirit in which the RNLI, its volunteers and staff act together to achieve the charity's lifesaving goals.

Assynt, Rosehall and Scourie minister, Rev Iain MacLeod, commented: "In rural communities like ours we appreciate just how essential the great work of the RNLI is as it not only saves people on the seas and the coast, but provides support to the other emergency services."

Over the 200 years since its foundation as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, the RNLI has saved an estimated 144,000 lives – a figure which Mr MacLeod pointed out appears in the book of Revelation as the number of people saved out of a time of tribulation.

The service in the Sutherland village included a reading from Sir William Hillary's 1823 "Appeal to the Nation" to form an institution to preserve lives and property from shipwreck, marking the very beginning of the RNLI's story, where he stated his hope that: "Every stranger, whom the disasters of the sea may cast on their shores, should never look for refuge in vain."

In his welcome to the service, Mr MacLeod told the congregation: "We give thanks for the vision of Sir William Hillary and we thank all those who generously give of their time and gifts to volunteer or work for the RNLI.

"We also want to inspire others to join the RNLI's One Crew so that we can look ahead with confidence for the next 200 years of saving lives at sea."

The service coincided with Father's Day and Mr MacLeod reflected on how God is the Father we can run to in times of trouble, a message illustrated by Jo Wright, a member of the church's Songs of Hope group, with her performance of Cody Carnes' contemporary hymn "Run to the Father".

The RNLI now operates a fleet of over 400 lifeboats across the UK, Ireland, Channel Isles and Isle of Man, but as a charity is dependent on the support of the public.

To support its work, visit the RNLI website.