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Buckie mum honours lifeboat volunteer son with RNLI fundraiser
Buckie resident Sue Cameron raised more than £800 for the RNLI after holding a Cuppa for the Crew fundraiser at her home in memory of her son, James Porter, who served as a volunteer crew member with Skegness RNLI for more than 21 years.
Sue organised the event on Monday 28 September, which would have been her son James Porter’s 38th birthday.
Friends, family, and members of the local community came together to enjoy tea, coffee and birthday cake while raising funds for the charity that played such an important role throughout James’s life.
The RNLI was a major part of James’s life from an early age. Inspired by his father’s involvement with Skegness RNLI, he grew up around the lifeboat station before going on to become a volunteer crew member himself.
At the age of 16, James joined the volunteer crew at Skegness RNLI, beginning more than 21 years of service helping those in danger at sea.
James sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 37. His loss continues to be felt by his family, friends and former crew mates.
Buckie RNLI volunteers were among those who attended the fundraiser to support Sue and remember James.
Sue chose to mark what would have been James's 38th birthday by taking part in the RNLI's Cuppa for the Crew initiative, inviting friends, family and supporters to remember James while raising funds for the charity.
Sue hopes that sharing James's story will help keep his memory alive and encourage further support for the RNLI, a cause that meant so much to him throughout his life.
Sue Cameron said: ‘I had been dreading James’s birthday, but when I saw the RNLI’s Cuppa for the Crew initiative, I thought he would have loved it. I wanted to do something positive in his memory while supporting a cause that meant so much to him.’
‘I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown by everyone who attended or donated. Thank you to everyone who has helped to remember James while supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving work.’
Buckie RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Anne Scott, said: ‘The support shown for Sue’s fundraiser has been remarkable. The RNLI means so much to Sue and her family, and it has been heartening to see people come together in support of a cause that was such an important part of James’s life.’
‘What will undoubtedly have been a very difficult day for Sue has also been a fitting tribute to James and his years of service with the RNLI. We are grateful to everyone who supported the fundraiser and helped raise such a fantastic amount for the charity.’
At the time of writing, Sue's fundraiser had raised more than £800 for the RNLI, including both online and cash donations. Donations continue to be received through her online fundraising page.
Anyone wishing to support Sue's fundraising efforts in memory of James can donate at:
https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraiser/suecameron
Notes to editors
- The main image shows Buckie RNLI volunteers supporting Sue Cameron during her Cuppa for the Crew fundraiser.
- Additional images show James Porter, who served as a volunteer crew member with Skegness RNLI for more than 21 years.
- Donations to Sue’s Cuppa for the Crew fundraiser can still be made at https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraiser/suecameron
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Jeffrey Tuckerman, 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
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