Montrose RNLI volunteers’ mini gets rally ready for Venice fundraiser
With just three months to go until they set off on an epic 5 day European rally in aid of the RNLI, Montrose RNLI volunteer Kyle and his brother Craig are entering the final stages of preparation as their Mini Cooper receives its full rally transformation.
The brothers will take part in the Motoscape Rally this September, driving more than 900 miles across eight countries in just five days, starting in St Omer, France, and finishing in the iconic city of Venice, Italy.
The challenge is not only about reaching the finish line, it is also a true test of endurance, reliability and determination, with teams taking on the journey in older or low-value vehicles to see whether their cars can survive the demanding route without suffering major breakdowns along the way. To qualify for the rally, vehicles must either be at least 20 years old or have cost between £500 and £900 to purchase, adding an extra layer of unpredictability and adventure to the challenge.
Now, with RNLI decals and sponsor stickers officially added, the Mini is undergoing what the crew describes as its full “glow up”, transforming from a standard Mini Cooper into a rally-ready fundraising vehicle proudly supporting the RNLI.
Although the Mini is privately owned and not an RNLI vehicle, it has been fully branded, with the growing collection of sponsor logos and RNLI stickers symbolising the increasing support behind the challenge. The car is also becoming a familiar sight around Montrose and Angus as fundraising efforts continue ahead of the September rally.
The Mini recently had a prominent spot on Montrose High Street during Montrose Music Festival, where it attracted plenty of attention from residents and visitors. The appearance helped generate additional fundraising support for the challenge, and Photography by Mila captured a striking image of the rally car.
Fundraising continued on Saturday at the Angus Show, where the brothers and their rally car were on display throughout the day. Thanks to the generosity of visitors, a further £248.59 was raised towards the RNLI fundraiser.
The Mini is set to make another public appearance at the Summer's End Festival in Brechin this August, less than a month before Kyle and Craig set off on their European adventure. The event will provide another opportunity for supporters to see the rally car up close and contribute to the fundraising effort before the challenge begins.
Kyle, a trainee lifeboat crew member at Montrose RNLI, said: “It’s amazing to finally see the Mini looking rally-ready with all the RNLI branding starting to go on. The whole point of the rally is the challenge, you’re taking an older or low-value car across Europe and hoping it survives more than 900 miles without any major breakdowns. That’s part of the adventure.”
He added:
“We’d love to hear from more local businesses who want to support us and get involved by adding their sticker to the car before we head off to Venice.”
Scott Murray, full-time Coxswain at Montrose RNLI, said: “Kyle and Craig have put an incredible amount of effort into preparing for this challenge, and it’s fantastic to see the support they’re receiving from the local community and businesses. The rally is a huge undertaking, and by doing it in aid of the RNLI they’re helping raise essential funds so the charity can continue its lifesaving work.”
The rally route will take the duo through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy before reaching the finish line in Venice.
As preparations continue, the pair are encouraging businesses from Montrose and across Angus to sponsor the challenge. Sponsors will have the opportunity to display their branding on the Mini throughout the international rally, supporting RNLI fundraising while gaining visibility during the journey across Europe.
The team would like to thank the businesses already supporting the challenge:
Angus Clearance Services - Sponsor
GPG Montrose - Sponsor
W&H Leslie Aberdeen - Sponsor
Also thanks to Create 4 and Simon at Repro for supporting with stickers for the car.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the rally and adding their logo to the Mini are encouraged to get in touch before the September start date by contacting Montrose RNLI Lifeboat Station on 01674 674341.
With only three months remaining, final mechanical preparations, route planning and fundraising efforts are now underway as the countdown to Venice continues.
All donations can be made directly to the fundraising page - https://www.justgiving.com/page/kyle-craigrobertson?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL&fbclid=IwdGRjcASU9RR...
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Sally McKay, 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.