Oban RNLI’s virtual advent calendar delivers festive fun to followers
Volunteers of Oban RNLI have been getting creative with a lifeboat themed advent calendar shared through the stations social media.
In a year like no other, Oban lifeboat’s volunteers have been determined to bring some festive spirit to their followers and supporters.
The station’s volunteer press officer, Leonie Mead, said “The idea started as I was trying to think of ideas for Christmas publicity, back in November. I wanted to include some of our station history and stories for interest and it evolved from there. The whole station have had their thinking caps on and we’ve come up with 24 facts about our station, lifeboat and volunteers. Each has a link to a number between 1 and 24 and so each has become a day of our advent calendar.”
“I can’t share too much as it’ll ruin the surprise for our supporters, but the advent calendar can be followed through our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages!”
Although restrictions mean that many things are different this Christmas, RNLI volunteers around the country will remain on call as usual. They’ll be ready to drop everything and leave their families, if their pagers sound.
And, as one of Scotland’s busiest single all-weather lifeboats, Oban’s volunteers have faced a busy year, despite lockdowns and government restrictions.
Ally Cerexhe, Oban Lifeboat’s coxswain said “We are normally a busy station so our volunteers already dedicate a huge amount of time to call outs and training. But, this year we’ve faced more challenges; additional PPE has been required and extra safety measures have been put in place to ensure we can continue launching throughout this pandemic, and our volunteers continue to risk their lives to save others.”
“As always, we remind everyone to stay safe when visiting the coast. Daylight hours are short and the temperature drops quickly. If you find yourself, or spot someone else in difficulty remember to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
As a charity, the RNLI’s volunteers rely on the continued support of the public to help them keep saving lives. Many fundraising events have had to be cancelled this year. The charity’s income is down but our coasts have been busier than ever and we need your support this Christmas.
Next Saturday 19 December, our fundraisers will be holding the last of our pop up shops before Christmas. Sea Kayak Oban are kindly hosting the event, which will be held between 10-4pm.
You can also support us through the RNLI’s nationwide Christmas Appeal at RNLI.org/Xmas
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.