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RNLI will launch new lifeboat thanks to fundraising from Scotmid

Lifeboats News Release

The community retailer has raised £274,000 for the charity.

Scotmid have announced that their year-long charity partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has raised £274,000.

The funding has enabled the RNLI to fund a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, which will form part of the relief fleet used by stations to assist in critical rescues during times when vessels are undergoing repairs or maintenance. The new lifeboat will be named “The Spirit of Cooperation”, aligning with the community retailer’s values and core purpose.

Jill Hepburn, Head of Region for the RNLI in Scotland, said: “We are extremely grateful for the efforts made by Scotmid colleagues, members and customers, who have raised both funds and awareness for RNLI throughout the year. The Atlantic 85 is one of the fastest in the RNLI’s fleet and given 90% of our rescues take place less than one mile from shore, our newest addition, ‘The Spirit of Cooperation’, will help save countless lives across our communities.”

The new boat has the capacity to carry four crew members as well as core medical and rescue equipment. Critically, it has the space to transport several additional people, making it ideal for a range of open water incidents.

John Brodie, recently retired Chief Executive of Scotmid, said: "It has been brilliant to see so many colleagues get ‘on board’ with our charity partnership this year, and I’m very proud to see our goal to fund a new lifeboat achieved. RNLI’s values, which centre around serving our communities, resonate with our own. It is extra special to me that this partnership was realised during my final year with Scotmid. We are delighted to support the charity’s vital work.”

Staff working in Scotmid’s food stores, Semichem stores, Scotmid Funerals and Lakes & Dales stores across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England came together to fundraise through a range of events, including a ‘Lift a Lifeboat’ Challenge.

ENDS

RNLI media contacts

Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Scotmid

The RNLI and Scotmid crew came together at Queensferry RNLI to celebrate.

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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