Fundraising opportunity for Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Guild

Orkney Rowing Club organised the St. Ayles Skiff Regatta for the second time this year, having first hosted the biennial event in 2022. The event is dubbed the ‘most northerly skiff regatta’.

Despite haar followed by an overcast sky heralding a dull June day in Orkney’s oceanic climate, the clouds started to dissipate, and the temperature had risen significantly by late morning. Scapa Bay is always scenic with changing sea colours depending on the day but the sunlight sketching an array of azures and teals over the bay, coupled with a coloured array of club tents and skiffs lined up along the beach, made a joyful sight.

Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Guild volunteers were at hand providing refreshments throughout the whole event, even before the official starting time. Two trips were made early in the day to purchase more bread and to pick up more RNLI souvenirs from Kirkwall Lifeboat Station.

For several days before the Regatta, Kirkwall’s fundraising team were busy baking at homes across Orkney. The work the fundraisers do behind the scenes is not always apparent. Money raised for the RNLI and the station is a culmination of community effort and community support.

The RNLI is a charity who survive on donations and fundraising, a special thanks to all the visiting rowing clubs who supported the RNLI and Kirkwall Lifeboat Station.

Moira Irvine, Kirkwall Guild Treasurer said: ‘We were delighted that Orkney Rowing Club and the Sea Cadets gave us this fundraising opportunity once again. Our sandwiches and home-bakes were well received on such a bonny day. We raised £1,105.50 from our charity café and had RNLI goods sales of £274. Thanks to everyone who supported the event!’

Notes to Editor

The clubs who attended the Orkney St. Ayles Skiff Regatta this year were Avoch Community Rowing Club, Burghead Coastal Rowing Club, Cockenzie & Port Seton Community Coastal Rowing Club, Collieston Offshore Rowing Club, Cromarty Rowing Club, Findhorn Coastal Rowing Club, Golspie Rowing Club and Lossiemouth Rowing Club.

The St. Ayles skiff is a four-oared rowing boat designed by Iain Oughtred using clinker plywood. The construction was designed to make it suitable for community groups to build. Four rowers and a coxswain usually crew these elegant narrow boats.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Erica Niven, 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.

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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.