TWO representatives from Bude’s Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) were among those flying the flag for Cornwall at a recent thanksgiving service in London.

The event, at Westminster Abbey, was held to give honour and thanks to the thousands of volunteers and staff at the life-saving charity who have ‘given so much, so often, and selflessly’.

It also served as an opportunity to share those thanks with the charity’s supporters, whose generosity over the many years of the charity has helped it to sustain its vital efforts at sea.

Tim and Ted, the two supervisors, were representing the Bude RNLI lifeguards at the event which featured representatives from the charity from all over the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland that were invited to the service.

It comes as part of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the RNLI as a charity, with the event as one of many different ways in which the lifeguards are remembering their remarkable history, celebrating the modern lifesaving service provided today while looking forward to inspiring and welcoming the next RNLI generation of lifesavers and supporters.

A spokesperson from Bude RNLI Lifeguards said: “Tim and Ted, two supervisors from Bude RNLI lifeguards joined volunteers and staff from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) from all over United Kingdom and Northern Ireland who were invited to a thanksgiving service at Westminster abbey in London.

“To give thanks to the thousands of volunteers and staff who have given so much, so often and so selflessly. Along with thanks to our supporters for their generosity that has sustained this work.

“2024 marks the 200th year anniversary of the RNLI a charity which saves lives at sea. Over this coming year we are remembering our remarkable history, celebrating the modern lifesaving service we provide today, and looking forward to inspiring and welcoming a new generation of lifesavers and supporters. RNLI lifeguards patrol seven beaches in and around the Bude area over the summer season.

“Widemouth and Summerleaze over the Easter period starting Good Friday, March 29, 10am to 6pm. Please choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags.”