RNLI Fraserburgh delighted with support for Open Day

The Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat volunteers were delighted with the support they received from the local community for their Open Day last Saturday.

This was the first Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat Open Day since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the day began at 11am on Saturday 3 June. Popular local Disk Jockey Brian Topping welcomed everyone to the lifeboat Open Day telling everyone to say "Hello" to the crew and to thank them for risking their lives to go and rescue folk.

Brian kept going throughout the day by playing loads of great music and providing a brilliant musical background which added to the great atmosphere created by young and old who were out to have a good time and to enjoy a few hours of family orientated fun.

It’s takes a lot of hard work and organisation to make an Open Day the success it was and the volunteer crew cannot thank people enough for all the help and support they have been given from the local community.

The volunteer fundraisers were magnificent and the volunteer crew members always pitch in and make a fantastic effort to make sure everything goes well, setting things up, manning stalls and showing people around the lifeboat.

Friends and family join in and we’re very grateful for the Coastguards, Peterhead RNLI lifeboat, the dance groups dance, 6.1.0 Dance Academy and Harmony Dance Studios ,and the pipers from Turriff Pipe Band coming and helping out.

They are all great attractions and helped draw the crowds.

Again we were overwhelmed by the amazing donations from local fishermen, and fish suppliers and other businesses whose contributions ensured there were a lot of bargains on offer

Customers were really spoiled for choice with a huge range of the freshest of produce on offer. Fresh Lobster, Smoked Haddock, Dressed Crab, Fresh Haddock, Cod,

Monk Fillets & Tail, Hot Smoked & Peppered Mackerel, Lemon Sole, Scallops, Prawns, Cooked & Fresh Parten Claws

It was little wonder that comments like “You canna buy fish cheaper than this!” and “Look at the size of the fillets, they’re huge!!” were repeatedly heard around the fish stall.

There were long queues through out the day at the barbecue for burgers and hotdogs and to see the see the lifeboat but it was well worth it.

Now, a word about the burgers, they really were extra special! Everything that a burger should be. Tasty, delicious, and mouthwatering, the flavour oozed out on the very first bite, tingling the taste buds and exciting the senses, leaving you craving for more and transporting you to an entirely different plane. This was a burger which may never be surpassed and will live long in the memory.

RNLI Fraserburgh Lifeboat Crew were kept busy aboard ALB "Willie and May Gall" showing family groups all around the lifeboat inside and out. It was great being able to show and tell visitors all about the lifeboat and equipment and what everything was used for. There were a lot of great questions as well about what happened on shouts and people they’ve rescued.

We are always glad to see Peterhead Lifeboat and were really pleased when they paid a visit as part of their Saturday Morning exercise

The attractions certainly put a smile on everyone’s faces with volunteers putting themselves in the firing line at the “Throw a Sponge” board with youngsters and the young at heart throwing water loaded sponges with unerring accuracy at their smiling and laughing targets who took heaps of hits for the team with great humour and got a good soaking in the process.

Raffles, the Bottle Stall, Lucky Squares, Hook a Duck, the Shuffle Board, Lucky Key Box and “Fastest Dressed Crewman” all raised a few laughs and put a smiles on loads of faces.

The fundraisers were kept busy as old friends and new friends met at the tea stall for refreshments and a news with homebakes, teas and coffees, fresh made melt in the mouth pancakes straight from the pan, Peters Ice cream and strawberries all being served up.

Thanks also to all the dancers who dazzled everyone with their talent and boundless energy and put on brilliant performances and were all stars, a real credit to their parents and teachers.

The fundraisers also manned the RNLI shop catering for customers throughout the day who picked up a lot of RNLI themed and branded souvenirs, and there were many other bargains to to picked up from other stall like the plant stall and homebakes.

“It was a brilliant day and thanks to everyone who helped out and came to visit and make this Open Day so special” said Fraserburgh full time Coxswain/Mechanic Vic Sutherland “All the money raised today helps us to save lives at sea.

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.

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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.