Volunteers on annual shout for RNLI Kessock crew
This week sees the return of the Inverness and North Kessock RNLI Fundraising Branch in the Eastgate Centre for their annual pre-Christmas gift and souvenir stall. All money raised and donated will go directly to the RNLI charity lifeboat station at North Kessock.
It’s a very welcome return to what has been a long standing tradition for many dedicated members of the Branch, including the Chairman Alison Marr and Secretary Jacquie Heaton.
Alison and Jacquie have been manning the stand at the Eastgate Centre as part of their volunteer commitment to the RNLI for over 30 and 20 years respectively. The branch as a whole has a combined total of over 150 years’ service.
Alison, who is an Aberdonian says, “Many of us have lifelong connections to the sea and come from families where the sea was either our livelihood or our leisure. My great grandfather was a trawler engineer who sailed on the first season of the SS Tento in 1900. It was lost in a huge storm and my great-grandmother was left with 7 children”.
Jacquie Heaton, who is Secretary of the fundraising Branch and is also responsible for the sales of merchandise and souvenirs has sailed throughout her life and been attending events for the RNLI since she was a small child.
As Souvenir Secretary, Jacqui is responsible for the souvenirs generally as well as all the Christmas items. She spent her youth 'messing about in boats' and says, "Sailing as a family we felt we must support the RNLI. Though we never needed them, we knew they were there!"
The crew will be in attendance at the stall every day this week 09.30-5.30pm until Sunday 21st November. The public are invited to check the social media pages of RNLI Kessock Lifeboat for the festive fundraising opportunity of the Reindeer Run.
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.