
Kinghorn RNLI welcomes six new volunteers to help save lives at sea at Christmas
Just in time for Christmas! New volunteers at Kinghorn RNLI have joined the crew just in time for Christmas to help save lives at sea.
Kinghorn RNLI’s newest volunteers SJ, Jamie, Alastair, Heather, Kelly and James have all progressed through their mandatory training and will become qualified volunteers with the RNLI just in time for Christmas.
Jamie, Alastair, Heather and James have been training to become volunteer crew members who, alongside the helm, will help operate the lifeboat during rescues and to ensure the safety of rescues. As well as going out on rescues, lifeboat crew members also commit to regular training in boat handling, radio communications, casualty care, navigation and radar.
New volunteer SJ is training to become a tractor driver, and Kelly has passed her shore crew plan with the plan to return as boat crew next spring.
Liz Davidson, Lifeboat Operations Manager, says: ‘We are extremely grateful to our new volunteers for joining us just in time for Christmas. They have all shown tremendous dedication and commitment to their new volunteer roles through their training, and we’re delighted to have them aboard.
‘Volunteer crew members, including our shore crew and tractor drivers, allow us to launch our lifeboat and help save lives at sea. We would encourage anyone interested in volunteering with the RNLI to get in touch.
‘As RNLI volunteers, we’re on call 365 days a year, which includes Christmas day. Whenever the call for help comes in, we will drop everything to answer, which includes spending time with our families and friends over the festive season.'
As the charity comes to the end of its 200th milestone year, the charity is launching its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, with a focus on the volunteer lifeboat crew members who are spending Christmas on-call.
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to sacrifice time with their families and battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
Notes to editors
*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 December – 1 January inclusive
· Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1965. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/kinghorn-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Neil Chalmers, 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 336789Key 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.