Aith is Valhalla for Vikings on Lifeboat Gala Day

Now a firm annual fixture in the Shetland summer calendar since 1972, this year’s gala day will offer a rare opportunity to see no less than TEN of Shetland’s viking Jarl Squads all together in one place. The day’s fun will start at 1.00pm with a colourful procession featuring the Jarl Squads and Aith lifeboat crew, followed by a series of games and challenges – including the ever-amusing eating competition between the squads and lifeboat volunteers.

Families will be well catered for with plenty of traditional gala attractions: lifeboat tours, candy floss, hot dogs, BBQ and coconut shy at the pier; teas, stalls, games and souvenirs in Aith Hall; and the ever-popular beer shed at the marina – complete with a unique charity auction from 3pm.

The fun continues into the evening with the Family Supper Dance featuring the Brian Morrison Dance Band in Aith Hall from 7.30pm.

Community fundraising volunteer Sandra Petrie said:

“It’s going to be a brilliant day west in Aith with ten Jarl Squads bringing plenty of colour, fun and friendly competition. Enjoy a classic Shetland gala day – great fun for all the family, and every penny raised helps keep our local lifeboat crew doing the important work that they do.”

Aith RNLI Coxswain, Nathan Mann added:

“I’d like to thank Sandra and the local fundraising team, our volunteer crew members and the wider community for all their tremendous hard work and continued support. As a charity, the RNLI receives no government funding. Every launch, every piece of equipment, and every hour of training is paid for entirely by the generosity of supporters. In a maritime community like Shetland, where the sea gives and takes in equal measure, events like the Aith Gala are vital for keeping our local lifeboat ready to answer the call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Note to editors

Aith's RNLI lifeboat station has been operating for over 80 years, and is the most northerly in the UK. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aith-lifeboat-station

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For further information, please contact:

Daniel Lawson, 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]

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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.

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