2024 is a special year for both the RNLI and the Fuellers: this year the RNLI is celebrating its 200th anniversary, it is 40 years since the Company was granted Livery status to become The Worshipful Company of Fuellers and it is 20 years since the Fuellers Charitable Trust Fund began supporting the RNLI's Tower Lifeboat Station. 

To celebrate this historic milestone Elena Oderstone, our Senior Warden and Master-in-nomination, has been working on a project for a joint RNLI & Fuellers float at this year's Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday 9 November 2024.

The float will feature a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat which will be accompanied by around 100 people, including RNLI volunteers and rescuees, Sea Cadets, pupils from local schools and members of the Fuellers. 
 

The core theme of the float is INSPIRATION – to inspire a future generation of lifesavers and supporters with a particular focus on youth engagement.  Such is the interest from the organisers that it is looking likely that we will be one of the first floats in the parade.

To date we have raised over £25,000 to make this happen including a corporate sponsor to cover the cost of transporting the lifeboat and several significant donations including from members of the Fuellers to cover just over half of the £10,800 entry fee.  We now need to raise the final £6,000 by mid-April to secure our place in the Lord Mayor's Show and also to cover the cost of some branded merchandise for participants to wear to make the most of this opportunity.

WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE and now need your help!  Please consider a donation to help get this over the line.  Whilst any donation will be gratefully received, we are suggesting a minimum of £150 - and more if you are able to.  We have a maximum of 33 places on the parade and if you are able to donate £150 or more then we will arrange a place on the parade for you.

By funding this Joint Float, you will have the opportunity to showcase your commitment to corporate social responsibility, maritime safety, education strategies, water safety, and making a positive contribution to the world we live in.

Join the crew for this special event at the start of Elena's year……and inspire future generations to secure the next 200 years of lifesaving in Central London!   

JOIN THE CREW!
RNLI FACTS

• The RNLI was founded on Thursday 4 March 1824 at the London Tavern on Bishopsgate.  Whilst the tavern is no longer there, the procession will go past its former site at 1-3 Bishopsgate.
• HRH The Duke of Kent officially opened the new state-of-the-art floating lifeboat station (Tower Lifeboat station) at Waterloo Bridge on 23 June 2023, 
• Tower Lifeboat Station (pictured below) is the RNLI’s busiest station