
Tractors parade the festive season to raise funds for Kirkcudbright RNLI
Volunteers at Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Station were delighted to host a brand new event this Christmas to raise vital funds for their fundraising appeal.
Local vet Giselle Brown was inspired after seeing similar events to organise a festive tractor parade which toured Kirkcudbright and surrounding villages on Sunday (15 December) night.
Initially she contacted Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Station with an idea of around 20 tractors doing a tour of the surrounding area, with registration taking place in the crewroom.
At the event around 70 vehicles turned up and over £1600 was raised for Kirkcudbright RNLI's fundraising appeal for a new boathouse.
The buzz around the whole event was electric with crowds of people watching in Kirkcudbright and the surrounding villages.
Giselle and a number of her friends organised the route, did the publicity and arranged for food and drink to be supplied on the evening. After the RNLI volunteer fundraising committee suggested a raffle, she then persuaded many people to donate generous prizes.
Stormy Stan made an appearance to welcome all the drivers and passengers who enjoyed hospitality in the crewroom served by volunteers of the Kirkcudbright RNLI fundraising group.
The whole fundraising group thoroughly enjoyed the event and Giselle hopes it may be repeated in the years to come.
Another example of the community getting behind our local boathouse appeal and a perfect end to a wonderful year of fundraising.
But with fundraising events planned for the new year, the volunteers at Kirkcudbright RNLI have no plans on slowing down just yet.
Jill Hepburn, Head of Region for the RNLI in Scotland, says: ‘We have been amazed by the response to our new station appeal for Kirkcudbright RNLI. Every single penny raised will go towards the £1.2million needed to provide the volunteers at Kirkcudbright RNLI, with a new boathouse and modern facilities. We would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support with this appeal so far.’
For updates from Kirkcudbright RNLI, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/KirkcudbrightRNLI
Notes to editors
· Kirkcudbright lifeboat station has been operating since 1862. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/kirkcudbright-lifeboat-station
· The £1.2million required for the new station at Kirkcudbright RNLI will be made up of funds from the local community appeal, plus donations from philanthropic supporters of the RNLI.
RNLI media contacts
Christine Collins, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
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
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.