Masterchef Gary serves a fishy feast for the volunteers of Helensburgh RNLI
The volunteers at Helensburgh RNLI were treated to a fish tea cooked by former Masterchef: The Professionals winner and Scotland’s National Chef, Gary Maclean.
The crew enjoyed a freshly cooked fish supper as a thank you for their continued efforts in keeping the coastline and waters of Helensburgh safe. 15 of the station’s volunteers enjoyed their fish and chips in the station’s boat shed. Helensburgh is home to an Atlantic 85 class lifeboat and launched 30 times in 2018, coming to the aid of 11 people.
Gary is supporting the charities latest fundraising campaign, ‘RNLI Fish Supper’ which runs from Friday 11 October through to Friday 27 October.
The RNLI is a charity that Gary is very fond of and he admires the selflessness of the volunteers who keep the coastlines of the UK and Ireland safe.
Gary said: ‘I am showing my support to the RNLI by hosting a fish supper as their lifesaving work in waters around the UK and Ireland is extremely important to me.’
Gary, who is the Executive Chef based at the City of Glasgow College, regularly crosses paths with many seafarers.
Talking proudly that connection with the sea, Gary said: ‘We train almost half of all merchant navy cadets, who go afloat and will continue to do so throughout their careers. Having a charity such as the RNLI who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice, including meals, is very comforting.’
Gary hopes that others follow suit and help the RNLI continue to save lives at sea. Gary said: ‘I know that, by supporting campaigns such as this, I can contribute to the RNLI and allow them to continue to save lives at sea.’
The RNLI are busier than ever, and lifeboats launched 8,964 times in 2018. The charity is urging supporters to host their own Fish Supper fundraiser in support of the RNLI volunteers who drop everything to respond to their pager, even meals.
To receive a free Fish Supper fundraising pack, and information on how you can support the campaign, visit; https://rnli.org/fish-supper
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.