Blue Peter and the R.N.L.I

The tradition of the Blue Peter appeal began in 1962. The first appeal to support the R.N.L.I was in 1966. Viewers were asked to send in old paperback books. A target of 60,000 books was set to buy one inshore lifeboat. The result was 240,000 books, which allowed four inshore lifeboats to be bought.

Lifeboat Appeal Totaliser from 1966

The boats were stationed at the following locations :-

Blue Peter 1 - at Littlehampton
Blue Peter 2 - at Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales
Blue Peter 3 - at North Berwick in Scotland
Blue Peter 4 -  at St Agnes in Cornwall

In the mid 1970's Blue Peter viewers helped to fund the replacement of all four boats.

In 1984 it was decided to help the R.N.L.I again. It had been known for a while that the four boats were wearing out. The boats must be in excellent condition to meet the stringent tests of the R.N.L.I.
However at this time all the heart breaking footage of the tragic famine in Ethiopia was being shown on the news every night. Thousands of Blue Peter viewers wrote into the programme asking can't we do something to help. So 1984 saw the double life saver appeal. The target 800,000 envelopes of buttons and postcards, to replace the four lifeboats and 800,000 envelopes of  used stamps to provide long term aid for Ethiopia including water tanks, a truck and cattle feed, so that children could have fresh milk to drink. Both targets were smashed, allowing 6 lifeboats to be bought, now locating one in Northern Ireland, along with a relief boat to take over when regular boats are being serviced. Extra equipment for Ethiopia included a well digging scheme, tools, seeds and cooking utensils.

In 1993 The pieces of eight appeal, collected enough broken jewellery, watches and postcards, to once again replace all six lifeboats and also provide an additional ocean going lifeboat.

This video shows an R.N.L.I crew putting Blue Peter 1 through its paces in 2010.

2006 saw the 50th anniversary of the relationship between Blue Peter and the R.N.L.I.

Thanks to four appeals Blue Peter viewers have funded 25 lifeboats, which at that time had been lunched more than 4,600 times and helped lifeboat crews save more that 1,000 lives.

Next time we shall look at the relationship between Blue Peter and Guide Dogs.