Charity, History | Posted on December 9th, 2024 | return to news
RNLI will bring stories of courage from Second World War to life
A grant of £131,122 has been awarded to the RNLI by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories from the Second World War.
Called 1939-45: Stories of Courage, the project will mark the 80th anniversary of the war ending. It will explore, commemorate and engage a wide range of audiences with the charity’s Second World War story.
The project will help the RNLI find and share stories which might otherwise be lost as the 80th anniversary of the war ending approaches in 2025. The organisation will work with crew, volunteers, supporters and partners to seek out the stories and experiences of volunteers and those rescued by the RNLI during the war.
Over the course of the two-year project, the RNLI will deliver an exciting programme of events across the UK, including an exhibition at Lighthouse Poole, which will run from January 2026 and showcase wartime art and share stories of the country’s Second World War history. The grant will also fund a dedicated project officer.
Hayley Whiting, Heritage Archive and Research manager at the RNLI said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage project.
“This project will capture incredible rescue stories from the Second World War and information on the lives of the volunteers who carried them out. Without this grant, these stories might be lost forever so we’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”
Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support the RNLI in recording the heritage of the charity during the Second World War. This grant, made possible by the National Lottery players, ensures that the stories and memories of the community can be heard for generations to come.”
The RNLI already has some stories from the Second World War, from lifeboats taking part in Dunkirk, to crews rescuing downed airmen, both allies and German. Over the course of the war, and excluding those saved at Dunkirk, RNLI lifeboat crews saved 6,376 lives.
The RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage project will run for 24 months, from January 2025. For more information about the RNLI’s role in the Second World War, please visit this page.
Please share post:
LATEST NEWS:
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Subscribe to the online magazine news letter
