Portpatrick RNLI; Saving lives on land

The crew of Portpatrick lifeboat station reciprocated the goodwill of charity recently with local rugby club "Wigtownshire RFC" by donating an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) from their crew fund.

Portpatrick's crew fund is generated from the money earned collectively by the crew through money paid for from exercises and shouts. Whilst, very often, crews will use this money to fund crew meals, biscuits for the kitchen etc, this time Portpatrick RNLI wanted to give something back to the community from whom they receive so much support throughout the year.

Wigtownshire RFC has been the winner of the annual raft-race in support of the RNLI and returned their winnings back to the Portpatrick RNLI station for many years. The volunteers and full time crew felt that they could help save lives not just at sea but also on the pitches of local rugby fields when Wigtownshire RFC was in need of help and required a portable AED to travel with the club.

Wigtownshire RFC representative Pamela Muirhead said the club was very grateful for this generous donation.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.