Kirkcudbright RNLI volunteers say thank you for £209k raised for appeal

A momentous day for Kirkcdubright RNLI, this event will take place at the Harbour, Kirkcudbright on 26 September 2026 commencing at 12pm. All our supporters and the public are very welcome to come along to the harbour to witness this event.

Due to restricted access to the RNLI Boathouse a series of visitor days will take place in the weeks following this ceremony to give everyone an opportunity to see this wonderful new building. Dates and times for these events will be published shortly.

The launch of the local fundraising appeal for Kirkcudbright RNLI Boathouse renovation and extension in May 2024 brought about the realisation in the community that their much loved lifeboat and volunteer crew were operating out of a Victorian building little changed since 1892.

The appeal has been wholeheartedly embraced by all, locally, nationally and internationally. Smashing the original local fund target of £50k in a few months the amazing sum of over £209k has finally been reached.

The support from the town has been phenomenal. Early in the Appeal the local “Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities” organisation themed the annual “Arts and Crafts Trail” on the RNLI Boathouse Appeal. This raised the profile as virtually every shop had an RNLI window display for the weekend.

Leading on from this almost every fundraising event or gathering in Kirkcudbright for the next year made some kind of contribution. From Regattas to Talks, Film Nights to Marathons the range of activities was vast. Numerous fundraising activities outwith the Stewarty region also took place and countless people simply sent money.

The Chair of Kirkcudbright LIfeboat personally sent 80 letters and 50 emails thanking people for their donations which indicates the level of support.

This RNLI Kirkcudbright Local Appeal has helped contribute to the cost of bringing about the renovation and extension of the Victorian Boathouse. Generous donors and organisations have also contributed towards the overall £1.2m appeal to cover the cost of this building. A state of the art 21^st century building now sits proudly at Torrs Shore.

The gratitude of the whole RNLI crew at Kirkcudbright is heartfelt. The high regard and affection that this volunteer led charity is held in has been evident in this very successful appeal. This building has ensured that the crew can continue the tradition of saving lives at sea in this small fishing town of Kirkcudbright.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Christine Collins, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Kirkcudbright RNLI, [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.