Can you pledge to cover 1 mile for RNLI Kessock Lifeboat?
This month (August) the charity lifeboat at Kessock has launched its virtual fundraiser and is appealing to the public to replace vital funds usually donated at their Annual Open Day, an event cancelled along with all other face to face fundraising opportunities.
The public are invited to join the volunteer crew as they collectively attempt to cover the 619 mile distance from Kessock Lifeboat Station to the RNLI HQ in Poole. By visiting RNLI Kessock Lifeboat on Facebook you can click donate now and pledge to cover some miles towards their goal. So far crew, local families and supporters have pledged hundreds of miles and sent photographs showing them cycling, hillwalking, dog walking, paddleboarding and kayaking.
Tom Ben, RNLI volunteer crewmember and Helm, says: ‘As a current volunteer Helm at Kessock Lifeboat station I am all too aware of the difficulties the RNLI face in the current climate. Along with most of the other 257 stations across the UK we have had to cancel all of our usual fundraising activities, which is the only way we generate funds from the public to keep our lifesavers afloat and able to respond when required to help people in trouble at sea or in the water .’
Despite the massive halt on events which generate income for the charity, the local volunteer crew are busier than ever this summer as the public and tourists staying in the UK have flocked to the coast in the recent good weather, and after the easing of lockdown. The Kessock crew have responded to a variety of incidents including vessels which have had power failures and been caught adrift by the tide, a child with head injuries on an inaccessible beach and a pool inflatable which was swept out to sea carrying two young people.
Yvette Kershaw, volunteer Press Officer says, “Our virtual fundraiser, the RNLI Kessock Mile, is no substitute for our annual Open Day where we traditionally have enjoyed a really active day mixing with the public and demonstrating what we are trained to do. But we are very grateful for the public’s continued support and recognition that every donation allows us to keep our volunteer crew trained and fully equipped to respond when the pager sounds. There are still prizes to be won too so if you can go on our Facebook page and either donate or share you will be keeping our lifesavers at sea.”
The virtual event runs until August 31st and the crew are currently adrift in England with many miles to go. Visit the page to see their progress and donate at https://www.facebook.com/RNLIKessock/
Notes to editors
· There are many photos available of families covering the miles – please email Yvette Kershaw if you require more
RNLI media contacts
Yvette Kershaw, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07809 116153, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07920 365929, [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
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.