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Blessing of the lifeboat marks the start of Portpatrick RNLI fundraising week.

Lifeboats News Release

Crowds gathered alongside the harbour as The Reverend Doctor Elizabeth Breakey led a service to bless Portpatrick RNLI lifeboat, Shannon class Stella and Humfrey Berkeley.

Lifeboat crew onboard boat

RNLI/Jeanette Hardy

Volunteer Crew onboard Portpatrick Lifeboat during todays blessing of the boat

Joining the volunteer crew on board the Stella and Humfrey Berkeley, the Reverend blessed the boat with whiskey from a quaich before taking a sip and passing around the crew.

The occasion was made even more special when RNLI fundraiser Kevin Scott also joined the crew onboard to present a generous donation of £1000 to Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat week. Kevin runs the website ‘Walking Glasgow’ organising free walking tours around the city, asking only for a donation to the RNLI.

Ian Beck, Chairman Portpatrick RNLI, expressed his thanks, saying, ‘It was heartening to see such a large turnout for today’s boat blessing, and I would like to thank the Reverend Dr Breakey for leading today’s service. Kevin Scott’s substantial donation made the perfect start to our annual fundraising week, and we are extremely grateful for his support.’

Ian Marshall, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portpatrick added, ‘The team here at Portpatrick are excited to host another Lifeboat Week, and this year, the two-hundred-year anniversary of the RNLI, makes the event even more special. As always, our dedicated volunteers –crew, fundraisers, or shop staff alike – have sacrificed their personal time, with many taking annual leave, to ensure the ongoing success of another lifeboat week. We look forward to a great turnout from the public and the opportunity to welcome friends old and new to Portpatrick, as we join to have fun but also to raise funds for the RNLI charity and its mission to save lives at sea.’

It is public support that allows the RNLI to continue to save lives at sea and our volunteers need your support.

To make a donation to the RNLI visit RNLI.org/support-us/give-money/donate

Notes to Editors

· Portpatrick Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1877. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Station

· Chairman Ian Beck is available for interview.

· Click here to access the RNLI 200th anniversary media pack, which contains a selection of RNLI archive images from key points in the charity’s history, a RNLI history timeline, and a film of ‘200 years in 200 seconds’ – all of which can be downloaded.


RNLI/Jeanette Hardy

The Reverend Dr Elizabeth Breakey leads the blessing of the boat

RNLI/Jeanette Hardy

Kevin Scott donates £1000 to Portpatrick RNLI

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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