
Swimming Trio Completes Cromarty Firth Swim in Support of Invergordon RNLI
Three swimmers recently undertook the challenging Cromarty Firth to raise funds in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Invergordon Lifeboat. The swim, which spans across the Cromarty Firth, was done to honour the work and dedication of the RNLI
Daniel Cormack, his wife Rachel, and his father’s cousin Mark Birbeck, who travelled from Bolton and played a key role in driving the swim this year, completed the mile-long crossing in just under 40 minutes on Sunday morning. Their effort was part of a fundraising campaign to support Invergordon Lifeboat Station, which celebrates its 50th anniversary alongside the RNLI’s 200th anniversary in 2024.
The trio was inspired by Daniel’s father, Neil Cormack, a keen local sailor who swam across the firth in the 1970s. Motivated by this family legacy, they devised a training schedule and initially planned the swim for Saturday, 10 August, with support from the lifeboat station, the Port of Cromarty Firth, and Invergordon Boating Club. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the event was postponed to the more favourable morning of August 11.
Accompanied by safety boats from the local Invergordon Sailing Club, the trio set off and reached the lifeboat station’s shore in an impressive 39 minutes. They were met with cheers from friends and family on the shoreline and raised an amazing £2,470 for the lifesaving operations at Invergordon RNLI.
After the swim, Daniel, Rachel, and Mark presented a cheque to Volunteer Crew members Andrew Murray, Neil Ross, and Kayleigh MacDiarmid outside the station, by the "Launch a Memory 13-37" sign—a replica of the 9,500 names on the station's Shannon Class Port & Starboard decals.
Reflecting on the swim, Daniel Cormack said, “It was a great experience, made even better by completing it with Rachel and Mark. The support we’ve received has been incredible. This swim was motivated by my dad Neil, who completed it 40-45 years ago, and it’s been a family topic for a long time. We felt it was fitting to do it now, with Invergordon’s 50th Anniversary and the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary. Although we were nervous beforehand, completing it and exceeding our fundraising target is amazing.”
Station Coxswain Andrew Murray added, “We are thrilled and delighted to receive such a generous amount from Daniel, Rachel, and Mark. It’s a great achievement that will help support our lifesaving services at Invergordon. On behalf of the station and the RNLI, we thank you for undertaking this event. Our thanks also go to the Port of Cromarty Firth and Invergordon Boating Club for their assistance.”
Notes to editors
· Invergordon lifeboat station has been operating since 1974 and operates a Shannon Class Lifeboat – RNLB Agnes AP Barr (RNLI 13-37).
· Invergordon Lifeboat is the RNLI’s first Launch a Memory Lifeboat which carries 9500 names on her Port and Starboard decals.
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RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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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