Kessock Lifeboat annual car wash goes virtual

But this year the event cannot go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Traditionally, hundreds of local supporters attend in all manner of vehicles and leave shiny and clean, with smiles and full donation buckets for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) with the motto: No fire engine too large, no smart car too tiny, no vehicle left unwashed.

In 2020 the event raised £2,480 - and then lockdown struck, effectively cancelling all fundraising events ever since. A whole year of lost income. But Kessock Lifeboat crew still launch to save lives whenever they are needed and the volunteer crew have responded to the pager more than 20 times since lockdown began.

The Kessock crew of lifesavers ask any members of the public who would usually come to support them to continue this support by donating to their virtual fundraiser this year.

Event organiser, Lifeboat Helm Douglas Munro said: 'The car wash has always been a great success and we appreciate the fantastic and loyal support we receive locally, year after year. It’s also always a great opportunity for the whole crew, that’s the boat crew and the fundraisers, to have an enjoyable day together as a team while generating vital funds to keep our crew safe and lifeboat maintained.

'It costs an average of £155,000 to run a lifeboat station in Scotland but with the implications of Covid-19, we haven’t been able to fundraise as normal to help keep our lifeboats afloat. Can you help us this year by making a donation to our virtual event?'

To donate and to stay updated with news and events from RNLI Kessock visit their Facebook and other social media pages or follow this link.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/inverness-and-north-kessock-rnli-fundraising

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.