Kyle RNLI stalwart Pat Mucklow passes away

Pat was a mainstay of Kyle lifeboat station. She attended all of the early planning meetings in the early 1990s when the need for a lifeboat station in Kyle was first muted, before then becoming the lifeboat station treasurer once it was set up. She later also became the treasurer of the local fundraising branch, was the Charity Boxes Secretary for 18 years and the Souvenir Secretary for 12 years. In 2015 Pat received the RNLI’s Gold Medal for her services and fundraising efforts for, at that time, her 55 years of dedication to the Charity.

Pat was the first woman in Scotland to get a Boatman’s licence, and in 1960 she was one of the first female crew members in the RNLI when she became part of the lifeboat crew in Mallaig. donning her oilskins and assisting hundreds of vessels over the years. Pat moved to Kyle 50 years ago when her previous employer passed away, starting work at the boat yard, and was soon a well recognised and liked member of the local community.

A crew Spokesman said: ‘Pat was a much loved member of the lifeboat station, and was known throughout the area for all of her hard work for the RNLI and the other charities she volunteered for. Whether that was travelling hundreds of miles a month collecting and counting donation boxes, sitting in the local supermarket with a lifeboat bucket chatting to all the customers and collecting donations, or attending all of the local open days, gala days or table sales selling RNLI goods and her own homemade marmalade to help raise funds for the station.’

Pats funeral takes place this Wednesday (15^th June) at 2pm in Kyle Church, before she is laid to rest in Balmacara cemetery.

Notes to editors

· The photos were taken when Pat was awarded her gold medal, please credit the photos to Kyle RNLI

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Andrew MacDonald, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07748 707606, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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