# RNLI launches product range to mark its 200th anniversary

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/01/31/rnli-launches-product-range-to-mark-its-200th-anniversary/
- Published: 2024-01-31T11:56:05+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**With the RNLI marking its 200th anniversary in March this year, the charity has
launched a special range of products celebrating key moments in its history – all
of which raise funds to support its work.**

The range includes clothing, toys, gifts and collectables, which the charity says
are designed to help supporters feel part of the crew in its 200th year. It takes
its inspiration from promotional materials produced for [RNLI’s](https://rnli.org/)
well-known Lifeboat Saturday fundraising event, and all profits from sales will 
help the charity’s work.

In 1886, 27 lifeboat crew from Southport and St Anne’s lost their lives during a
rescue attempt – still the largest loss of crew in a single incident in RNLI history.
Five years later, wealthy industrialist Sir Charles Macara and his wife Marion, 
still concerned for the crew’s families, organised the first Lifeboat Saturday –
the world’s first recorded charity street collection. The event saw bands, floats
and even a full-sized lifeboat paraded through the streets of Manchester, and quickly
spread to other towns, and is credited with forming the basis of charity collecting
that continues today.

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The new Lifeboat Saturday range includes t-shirts for both men and women, scarf,
tote bag and more, all featuring a print inspired by the designs used for the posters
and programmes that promoted this event.

![](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2024/01/two_centuries_of_lifesaving_history_reflected_in_new_range_of_rnli_products2.
jpg)

Credit: RNLI

The RNLI’s maritime history is also reflected in the new range, with the traditional
cork lifejacket featured in a t-shirt design, and worn by collectable ducks and 
teddy bears. The original cork lifejacket saved the lives of hundreds of volunteer
crew in the early days of the RNLI. This included Whitby crew member Henry Freeman,
who in 1861 was the only survivor of a disaster that claimed the lives of all his
fellow crew members during a great storm, as he was the only one wearing the newly
designed lifejacket. He went on to serve as Coxswain of the Whitby lifeboat for 
22 years.

Other products in the range feature both the original and current RNLI flag design,
from t-shirts to mugs, badges and playing cards. There is also a vintage style money
box.

The 200^(th) anniversary range is available at all RNLI shops, and [online at the RNLI shop website.](https://shop.rnli.org/pages/rnli-200)