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Queensferry RNLI shop volunteers do a ‘grand’ job in 2022

Lifeboats News Release

Queensferry RNLI shop volunteers are delighted to have achieved their most successful year of trading in 2022, 10 years after the retail shop opened.

Sign directing to Queensferry RNLI shop with Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Station and Shop and Forth Bridge in the background.

RNLI/Chris Brydie

Sign directing to Queensferry RNLI shop with Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Station and Shop and Forth Bridge in the background.

Following two difficult years of limited opening throughout the pandemic, Queensferry RNLI shop came back with a bang putting over £50,000 through the till by the end of last year. This included a record breaking single day with over £1,000 in sales in the shop plus over £700 from the ‘pop-up’ shop on the promenade during the annual Queensferry RNLI Open Day in June.

A large amount of credit for this success is down to the fantastic team of volunteers who take great pride in supporting and promoting the RNLI. They volunteer their time to keep the shop open and running all year round. An increase of opening hours for more of the year, including opening at the earlier time of 10.00am during the Spring and Summer seasons therefore catching the first tour boat customers, is another large factor in the success.

A new, long wished for sign which was installed on the railings of the promenade last summer, with permission from the council, directing to the shops location and therefore giving the shop greater visibility is also praised for increased sales.

The selflessness and dedication from the shop volunteers coupled with the generous support of the community and visitors has resulted in Queensferry RNLI shop ranking within the top five best performing shops in Scotland.

Prior to the retail shop opening in 2012, alongside the new boatshed, a ‘pop-up’ shop consisting of a trestle table on wheels was run daily, in all elements, from the front of the old boatshed which is now home to South Queensferry Coastguard.

Queensferry RNLI shop risked closure in 2016 following the retirement of long time Souvenir Secretary Rose Ritchie after 30 years’ service. An urgent appeal for new volunteers saw 16 people come on board and the shop reopened around Easter that year. Many of those still volunteer in the shop today.

One of those volunteers is Kate, who coordinates the ordering of stock for the shop. On reaching this incredible achievement alongside all the shop volunteers Kate said; ‘Without the support of you, our customers, this wouldn’t have been possible. Your support pays towards Queensferry Lifeboat continuing to be able to rescue people in the water. Thank you.’

Erin Ritchie, RNLI Senior Community Manager, said; ‘A massive thank you and well done to all of our volunteers at Queensferry RNLI shop on their most successful year ever. All of the volunteers at Queensferry live the “one crew” ethos and support one another fantastically and I believe this has contributed to their success. Thanks to Kate, Simon and all of the volunteers for their support and hard work.’

Queensferry RNLI Shop is currently open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11.00am to 3.00pm then returns to 7 days a week opening 10.00am to 4.00pm from Monday 20 March 2023.

If you are interested in volunteering in the RNLI shop, you can drop a note of interest by email to [email protected] or call the shop on 0131 319 2358.

Queensferry RNLI will also be holding a recruitment information day in the very near future, looking for new members for the fundraising branch, events crew and shop volunteers. Information will be posted on our social media accounts once confirmed.

ENDS


Notes to editors

· The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

· The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.

· Queensferry RNLI is based at Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, EH30 9TB. The lifeboat station was founded in 1967 and houses an inshore Atlantic 85 B class lifeboat Jimmie Cairncross.

· In 2021 Queensferry lifeboat launched 90 times, aiding 167 people and saving one life.

· To learn more about the lifeboat station visit; https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/queensferry-lifeboat-station

Photo Credits

Sign directing to Queensferry RNLI shop with Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Station and Shop and Forth Bridge in the background. Credit RNLI/Chris Brydie

RNLI media contacts

Adele Allan, Lifeboat Press Officer, Queensferry Lifeboat Station, [email protected]

Julie Dominguez, Lifeboat Press Officer, Queensferry Lifeboat Station, [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

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, Twitter 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.

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