Maiden voyage Manchester Salford Lifeboat, This is Epic.

Описание: we help launch the Manchester and Salford Lifeboat after a 25 year restoration project.
sit back and enjoy
Mrs Helen Wycherley was the founder member and also became president of the Women’s Lifeboat
Institute Guild which still thrives to this day. Helen was also an honorary president for the Rochdale Conservative Women’s Association.
In times past, lifeboat crew were of male descendants and women were not able to assist. This being so, Helen wanted desperately to help the heroic lifeboat men, so she started to support the R.N.L.I ashore with other duties, launching and retrieving boats from shouts, looking after casualties, and fundraising. This was popular with other women and the Women’s Lifeboat Institute Guild was born.
Spending most of her life devoted to supporting the R.N.L.I, being the founder member, she was appointed president. Upon her departure from this life, her wish was to have a lifeboat built in her
name and to be named as such. We are dedicated to revitalising Helen, not only to preserve her historical significance but also to offer invaluable educational and therapeutic experiences to disadvantaged children, particularly those with ADHD and learning difficulties.
Our team consists of dedicated volunteers with diverse skill sets, all coming together to breathe life back into Helen. These individuals are passionate about preserving our maritime heritage and are driven by the shared goal of ensuring For over 25 years, Helen has been left unused, her once-vibrant identity fading with each passing year. Her disrepair is a poignant reminder of the fragility of our heritage; if we do not act now, Helen risks being lost forever. Recognised as an important historical vessel and a heritage conservation charity, the Helen Wycherley Heritage Association is committed to restoring her to her former glory. Moored in the heart of Whitby, Helen has a wealth of stories to share, treasures of the sea that deserve to be passed on to future generations.
Our vision encompasses much more than mere restoration. We aim to provide a sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, where young children with disabilities can find respite and relief. The historical educational and vocational tours we plan to offer will not only celebrate the rich maritime history of our region but also afford children opportunities to engage with that heritage in meaningful ways. Imagine a young child with ADHD who, through participation in our tours, learns about the lifeboat’s brave history and, while doing so, discovers a passion for marine conservation or maritime history. The potential for these journeys of discovery is tremendous.
However, to bring this vision to fruition, we require an initial investment of £50,000. We have already put in £50,000 of our own funds, demonstrating our commitment to this project and our belief in the meaningful impact it will have on our community. The total cost for the complete restoration is anticipated to be £100,000, with the following outlined expenses: £20,000 for vital outer hull and deck repairs, £10,000 for restoring the top body, £10,000 for upgrading electrical equipment, and another £10,000 for restoring the engines. With your support, we can ensure that Helen remains a vessel of history, education, and care.
that the stories of our past are kept alive for generations to come. However, many of the repairs require expertise beyond what our current volunteers can provide. We will be looking to engage local tradespeople and craftspeople with special skills to help ensure the highest quality restoration, thus supporting local businesses in the process.
At the heart of this project is a commitment to community engagement. We intend to host open days at Whitby’s harbour, allowing the public to witness firsthand the restoration journey of Helen. These events will serve not only to attract visitors but to instill a sense of pride and ownership within the community—knowing that they are part of preserving an essential piece of English heritage. Furthermore, we plan to run regular updates through social media and email campaigns, keeping our supporters informed of our progress and enabling them to be part of this vital journey.
Ultimately, restoring Helen is about far more than fixing timber and machinery; it’s about healing hearts and minds. By offering respite from the challenges faced by young disabled children, we know that we can significantly improve their mental health and overall well-being. This project embodies hope, resilience, and the belief that heritage has the power to change lives.