Mallaig RNLI Gala raises over 4K as crew paged to aid seriously injured casualty
Lifeboat shout really brought home to crowd their mission of saving lives at sea when the crew had to leave their annual fundraising Gala Day to aid fallen walker on Skye.
The Mallaig RNLI Lifeboat Station held its annual fundraising Gala Day on Saturday 30 May on Mallaig pier from 11am – 4pm. This year was pirate themed, with a competition for the best dressed.
The day featured lots of fun; with activities for kids including a treasure hunt, BBQ supported by the Bakehouse in Mallaig, performances by the Mallaig and Ardnamurchan Pipe Band, and tours of boats in the harbour including the impressive HM Coastguard Livoli as well as the RNLI all-weather lifeboat the Henry Alston Hewat.
But tours for the public had to be put on hold when the crew were paged by HM Coastguard, to aid a walker who had fallen from height in Spar Cave at Elgol at the south-end of the Isle of Skye.
It was a real multi-agency effort, as two lifeboat crew went ashore to work with members from the Scottish Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard and Skye Mountain Rescue teams to assist the casualty. HM Coastguard rescue helicopter then arrived on scene to assist and extract the badly injured casualty for onward care.
Simon Bradshaw, Head Fundraiser at RNLI Mallaig, stated:
‘We are delighted with the amount raised at our annual fundraising Gala Day so far. There’s a lot of behind the scenes effort goes into creating events like this, but standing on the pier, watching the lifeboat crew head out on their shout, really brought home why every bit of fundraising for the charity is so vital.’
Despite the dreich weather, the Gala Day has raised over £4,200 with donations from local businesses and organisations still being processed – keep an eye out for the final total! Everyone at RNLI Mallaig station would like to extend a thank you to all who donated, contributed their time or sponsored a stall/event.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Wagstaff, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]
Richard Smith, 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, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.