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Longhope photographer's stunning calendar raises funds for the RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Local resident and Longhope lifeboat volunteer crew member, Alan Mackinnon, has raised £400 for the RNLI, through calendar sales.

A photograph of two members of the lifeboat crew in their yellow suits. The man on the left, Alan Mackinnon (a volunteer crew member) is handing over funds to the man on the right, Scott Johnston (Coxswain)

RNLI/Vicky Mackinnon

Volunteer crew member Alan Mackinnon (L) presents funds to Coxswain Scott Johnston (R)

In a commendable display of community spirit, Alan Mackinnon, a local resident and a valued member of the Longhope RNLI lifeboat crew, has successfully raised £400 for the RNLI. Alan achieved this through the sale of a calendar featuring his own photography, showcasing the beauty of the Hoy and Walls area.

A passionate amateur photographer, Alan loves nothing more than to while away the hours, armed with his camera, and immersed in nature, capturing the natural beauty of his surroundings. Buoyed by the positive feedback on his photography, he decided to compile a selection of his stunning images into a calendar and pledged to donate 50% of the proceeds from the calendar sales to the life-saving charity.

Alan stated, "As a keen member of the lifeboat crew, I understand the RNLI charity is wholly reliant on donations, and so I was only too happy to help raise money for such a good cause."

On 2 February 2024, Alan presented his £400 donation to Coxswain Scott Johnston who remarked, "It's great to see members of the community taking time and effort to raise funds for the RNLI. Without the generosity of donations such as this, the RNLI could not continue to save lives at sea."


Notes to editors

· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/longhope-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, 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

The photo shows the selection of photographs that are contained within the calendar.

RNLI/Vicky Mackinnon

Alan Mackinnon produced a 2024 calendar showcasing some of his photography
A photograph of a man seated by the side of an old stone building with a camera

RNLI/Vicky Mackinnon

Alan Mackinnon loves to capture the beauty of his local area.

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.