Scotmid donation helps local RNLI lifesavers at Kessock learn vital skills
Recently recruited RNLI volunteer crew members at 15 lifeboat stations across Scotland will have a full year of training funded by Scotmid.
Dedicated volunteers make up 95% of people in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), with nine out of ten RNLI crew members having no previous maritime experience. RNLI crew members rely on their training to be able to continue to save lives at sea and return home to their loved ones safe and sounds after every rescue.
Training hones boat handling skills, encourages teamwork and enables lifeboat crews to make the right decisions at key moments in any rescue. Intensive initial and ongoing training takes place at our lifeboat stations throughout Scotland and is complemented by specialist courses delivered at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.
It costs an average £1,400 to fully train one crew member each year. This year, Scotmid, a co-operative society at the heart of Scotland, committed to supporting local communities through investment, has pledged to make a donation of £21,000 to the RNLI. This will fund a full year of training for one volunteer crew member at each of the 15 lifeboat stations in Scotland that are within five miles of a Scotmid and/or Semichem store.
The support will ensure that volunteer crew have the best possible chance of saving everyone, every time.
Paul McKeown, Fundraising Lead for RNLI in Scotland, says: ‘We rely on donations to power our lifesaving work and our volunteers are the lifeblood of the RNLI. It’s important to make sure they are equipped with the right skills and the training so we can continue to provide the service that we have done for nearly 200 years.
‘The support from Scotmid will see training happen for lifeboat crew members at 15 different lifeboat stations across Scotland. On behalf of the RNLI, I’d like to say a big thank you to all the members and customers of Scotmid for supporting the RNLI and helping us to continue to save lives at sea.’
Lindsey Randall has been a volunteer crew member at Kessock RNLI for 2 years. She knows firsthand how vital the training is for RNLI crew members.
‘Training brings us all home safe. It takes everyone on the lifeboat and shore team to work together to ensure we do the job to the best of our ability – everyone plays their part. Without training and knowing your role inside out, you wouldn’t be able to do this role effectively.
‘Without the training, we would not have the confidence or skills to deal with some of the high pressure situations we need to deal with.’
Stuart Dustan is also on the crew at Kessock RNLI and has been for 2 years.
‘A large number of the emergency calls the RNLI respond to are incidents involving a risk to life or are time critical. This urgency comes with a certain amount of pressure, and that’s where our regular, high quality training comes in to ensure we are fully prepared and equipped to face certain situations.
‘Casualty care training provides you with lifesaving skills that can be used in any emergency situation, and the training can also provide crew members with interpersonal skills, such as team-working, leadership and communication.
‘I know I respond to all shouts with the knowledge that I am capable of preforming effectively whenever and whatever we are tasked to. I also know I am fully supported by the helms and crew in doing so.’
Without continuous crew training and assessment, the RNLI lifeboat crews across the country would not be able to respond as quickly and efficiently to emergencies out at sea.
Notes to editors
· Scotmid is providing funding to train 15 crew members at 15 RNLI lifeboat stations across Scotland, totalling £21,000. The 15 RNLI lifeboat stations are all within 5 miles of a Scotmid store and include: Aberdeen, Arbroath, Buckie, Fraserburgh, Helensburgh Kessock, Largs, Loch Ness, Macduff, Oban, Peterhead, Queensferry, Stranraer and Thurso.
RNLI media contacts
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.
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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.