Oban RNLI’s heartfelt thanks to supporters during challenging 2020

Many of last year’s fundraising activities were cancelled but, as August saw restrictions ease in our area, Oban lifeboat’s fundraisers began holding a regular pop up shop in the town. In a bid to raise some much needed funds, eight events were held in the run up to Christmas and they were met with great support.

A total close to £3,000 was raised through donations and the collection of Betty’s Pots. Additional funds were generated through the sales of RNLI merchandise and Christmas cards.

Phil Hamerton, Oban Lifeboat’s Fundraising Chairman said “It’s been a challenging year for fundraising, but the support shown by the public has been incredible; thank you to everyone who has contributed. We’d also like to thank both the North Pier and Mark and Laura of Sea Kayak Oban for hosting our pop up shop and McCaig’s Warehouse for selling our Christmas cards.”

The generosity of our supporters, as always, extended further as some held their own fundraisers, contributed by donation to the station or through a collection box. It would be impossible to name everyone, but to mention a few;

The Atlantic Islands Centre on Luing held a raffle before Christmas raising £66 for Oban RNLI. Their operations manager Lorraine King said “As an island community it’s important to support our local lifeboat. We hope we never need their help, but we might.”

Children from Park Nursery raised £56 for the lifeboat through a sea themed activity project.

In October, the station’s Fish Supper campaign which ran with help from local fish and chip shops, restaurants and supporters, saw over £200 raised. Further fundraising efforts by the Galley of Lorne and Tralee Bay Fish and Chips were also gratefully received.

Tom Lennox’s book ‘From Trout Fly to a Steam Yacht’ documenting the history of Oban’s Munro family shipbuilding company has so far raised £545 for Oban Lifeboat. Tom kindly offered to donate all proceeds to the station and so the digital book can be accessed through a JustGiving page; email us at [email protected] for details.

The station thanks each and every person both locally and further afield who has and continues to, support Oban’s lifeboat. No matter how big or small, it all makes a difference.

Every year the generosity of others ensures that lifeboats around the country can keep saving lives at sea but, as the RNLI’s income has been affected by the ongoing pandemic, this has never been more important. We thank everyone for thinking of Oban lifeboat. Not only does this ensure that our lifeboat can keep launching, but the support shown helped make 2020 a little easier for our volunteers too. During exceptional circumstances, our crew continue to give up their time to go to sea, as volunteers ashore work tirelessly to ensure the safe operation and running of the station. Without such support and generosity, the RNLI simply wouldn’t exist.

We hope that 2021 soon offers everyone some form of normality and we hope too that we’re able to welcome everyone to our usual station events again soon.

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.