Aith fundraising volunteers take in £12k with just two events
The generosity of the Shetland community, and the dedication of RNLI fundraising volunteers, has once again been demonstrated by two very well supported events in the isles – raising £12’000 for the RNLI.
April's online Aith Lifeboat Auction raised over £5’000 by auctioning off a host of prizes and experiences donated by local RNLI supporters. The single auction item that raised the most – over £300 – was a real star attraction, a ‘Coxswain’s Carrot Cake’, donated and lovingly made by Aith RNLI coxswain John Robertson.
Other prizes included knitwear, seafood, vouchers, artwork, holiday accommodation, jewellery, local produce and other home baking – whilst members of the public could also bid for the chance to win a fishing or sightseeing trip.
This was followed in June by the popular Aith Lifeboat Gala, centred around the village’s lifeboat station – which raised a further £7'000. With visits from Jarl Squads and classic cars, public tours of Charles Libdury and the local fire engine, stalls and games, Sunday teas, bouncy castles, face painting and an exhibition football match, it was a busy event blessed by sunny weather to draw out an excellent crowd.
Highlights included a pie eating competition, won by a Viking from Delting, and a parade to the Aith lifeboat pier featuring the ever-energetic RNLI mascot Stormy Stan.
The Gala day was also followed in the evening by a very well attended and enjoyable Family Dance night – led by the Peter Wood Shetland Dance Band.
Carrot cake baker extraordinaire, and Aith lifeboat coxswain John Robertson, paid tribute to the remarkable generosity of the Shetland public and the selfless efforts of the Aith RNLI fundraising committee volunteers.
“Both the online auction and the Aith Lifeboat Gala were very well supported, which is so appreciated and important to the local crew. The money raised will help meet the costs of training, safety kit, rescue equipment, and lifeboat maintenance to keep saving lives quickly, safely and effectively in the seas around Shetland. The RNLI relies solely on these donations, and our huge thanks goes to everyone who contributed – especially Aith’s wonderful core team of fundraising volunteers: Frances Moffat, Shona Moncrieff, Irene Simpson, Catherine Henry and Kayla Robertson.”
Folk are always able to show their support by donating online to help the RNLI replace worn out kit or repair lifeboats. To support our lifesavers, go to: www.rnli.org/donate
Ends
Note to editors
Aith lifeboat station has been operating for over 80 years, and is the most northerly in the UK. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aith-lifeboat-station
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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.
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