Fundraising efforts a success for Peterhead RNLI

The volunteers at Peterhead Lifeboat saw all of their usual annual fundraisers cancelled or postponed, so they decided to come up with new ways to raise much needed funds for the Station which houses a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat.

In the past four weeks the station has organised a Scavenger Hunt which saw the community of Peterhead search for the answers to questions created by Fundraising Secretary, Kelly Simpson. A virtual Buttery Morning was held during Peterhead Scottish Week which saw families host their own event and send in pictures on social media, and last weekend some of the volunteer crew took part in the ‘Tour O the Yalla Welly’ cycle. A total of £1,565 has been raised so far.

Inspired by the crew at Appledore who launched the RNLI Tour de Yellow Welly fundraising concept, volunteer Craig Aird organised the event which saw eight of the crew cycle from Peterhead Lifeboat Station to Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station and back again – more than 40 miles!

Craig, who has been a volunteer crew member at Peterhead for four years, said: “The summer months would usually be a very busy time for us at Peterhead Station with a number of fundraising events planned.

“We are a charity so we rely on these events to help us to continue to save lives at sea, so we were trying to come up with other ways to raise money and awareness for the station. We are grateful for the support and donations from everyone – to raise that amount in just four weeks was incredible. It made the long cycle on one of the hottest days totally worth it!

“RNLI volunteers give their time for free but the money goes towards their training, equipment, lifeboats and shore facilities. Every donation is really appreciated.

“We’re looking forward to opening our doors to the public again when it is safe to do so, to offer some tours of the boat and the station but in the meantime, we are urging everyone to stay safe, protect others and save lives.”

RNLI Volunteer Crew members remain on call 365 days of the year, even in the current pandemic, to man the coasts and waters. This has meant adapting quickly to align with Government guidelines while ensuring they are still ready to respond when the pager sounds.

The Volunteer Crew at Peterhead have responded to their pagers nine times since the country officially went into lockdown on March 23.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Peterhead lifeboat station been operating since 1865. The current Peterhead Lifeboat Station, the third built, was opened in 1999 and is staffed by one full-time RNLI employee.
• The Lifeboat, a Tamar class RNLB Misses Robertson of Kintail, is berthed approximately 100 metres away.
• To learn more about the station, go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/peterhead-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Stacey Lynch, Peterhead Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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.