POOLE’S lifeboat station is celebrating the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. 

Monday, March 4 marks two centuries of the charity’s service which has saved 146,277 lives at sea. 

The station in Poole Quay was founded in 1865 and since then, generations of lifeguards and lifeboat crews have saved 830 lives from more than 7,000 lifeboat launches. 

A service of thanksgiving to mark the birthday will take place at Westminster Abbey in London today and will be attended by representatives from the RNLI, including volunteers from Poole. 

Suzie Jupp, a volunteer at Poole, will be in London today. Her fascination with lifeboats started in her childhood, when she used to visit her grandparents living close to the Selsey Lifeboat Station. 

After moving to Poole for her career as a physiotherapist at Poole Hospital, Suzie became part of the Poole lifeboat crew in 2012.  

Gerald Beddard, a fundraiser, was also selected to represent the station having been an RNLI volunteer since the age of five. 

His dedication has raised thousands of pounds over the years, including volunteering on Christmas day, collecting donations on the Sandbank’s chain ferry.  

Meanwhile Jonathan Clark, the longest serving volunteer at Poole’s lifeboat station at 40 years, said: “Reflecting on my years of volunteer service, I've experienced numerous changes, memorable moments with amazing individuals and serving with my father, and now alongside my daughter. 

He added: "Moving forward, advancements in technology, equipment, boat design, and training will all contribute to ensuring the legacy and safety of RNLI lifesavers.  

“A big thank you to all who have supported us in the past, those who will continue to do so, and to everyone who assists us by donating funds. Thank you as your contributions to our charity enable us to keep saving lives at sea.” 

Anne-Marie Clark, volunteer lifeboat press officer and a busy fundraiser, has been carrying a RNLI bucket for the past 26 years.  

Poole Lifeboat station volunteers have a packed calendar of 200th celebration events, with something happening for everyone, every month, kicking off with ‘Float to Live festival’ on March 9. 

RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie 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.”