Sky(e)-high fundraising for Portree RNLI

Eilidh Beaton, along with friend Ali Macfarlane, will skydive from a height of approx. 15,000 ft, reaching speeds of up to 120 miles per hour during the initial freefall, before deploying parachutes that will carry the duo safely back to ground level.

The aptly named ‘Leap High for the RNLI’ challenge is aiming to raise £1000 to go directly to Portree RNLI – the only lifeboat station on the island.

Eilidh said:

‘In May 2023, I had an anaphylactic reaction and required urgent medical assistance. Some of those who provided initial first aid were members of the volunteer crew at the RNLI lifeboat station.

‘The lifeboat station is such an important asset to the island, with a fantastic crew of volunteers. I would like to raise money to show my gratitude to the crew… and what better way to do this than by jumping out of a plane!!

‘Ali and I chose skydiving for our challenge because we wanted to do something different, and daunting! We hope the idea of our abject terror might be an incentive for people to donate!’

The skydive is due to take place on the 18 April 2025 in St Andrews and has already raised over £600.

The RNLI is a charity that relies on donations to provide the lifesaving service that it does. Our volunteer crew members are on call and ready to respond to calls for help 24 hrs a day, 365 days of the year.

All money raised for the RNLI helps our lifeboat crews to save lives quickly, safely and effectively. There are over 5,700 volunteer crew members and over 4,000 volunteer shore crew at 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. They all rely on training, kit, rescue equipment, lifeboats and lifeboat stations to save lives at sea.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Portree Lifeboat Station was established in 1991 and operates a Trent class all-weather lifeboat – ‘Stanley Watson Barker’. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/portree-lifeboat-station
• To read more about how funds are spent within the RNLI, visit our website: https://rnli.org/support-us/how-your-support-helps/where-your-money-goes

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact:

Robert MacInnes, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI: 07950 421829 / [email protected]

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

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

RNLI Press Office: 01202 336789 or [email protected]

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, X, TikTok 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.