Tighnabruaich RNLI volunteers facing the Prefect Storm this Christmas
With Christmas approaching, the RNLI is issuing a call for help to support the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews. As more people than ever are needing help at sea, the charity faces a ‘Perfect Storm’ where income has fallen and support from the public is more vital than ever.
While many people are thinking about presents, family time and Christmas traditions, dedicated RNLI volunteers all round Scotland will be on call to drop everything should a call for assistance be received.
In Tighnabruaich RNLI, lifeboat helm Ewan Sim has volunteered for over thirty years and is part of three generations of his family to do so – his father Andrew was part of the original Tighnabruaich crew started in 1967, and Ewan’s brother and three nephews are also current crew – a family tradition in the making!
Ewan signed up aged sixteen (with his parents consent). He worked as a fisherman for fifteen years and is now a skipper with CalMac ferries locally, so Ewan is fully aware of the conditions and difficulties one can face when at sea for either work or leisure. While his family like so many others look to enjoy their family traditions over the festive season, Ewan observes “we are on call throughout Christmas, and I know that gives people peace of mind”.
The lifeboats are open to everyone and depend on boat and shore crew, fundraising and event volunteers as well as the support of the public.
To support the RNLI’s Perfect Storm appeal this Christmas, helping to ensure the charity’s volunteers can continue their life saving work, please visit RNLI.org/ThePerfectStorm
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.