Scotmid donation helps local RNLI lifesavers at Loch Ness learn vital skills
Recently recruited RNLI volunteer crew members at 15 lifeboat stations across Scotland will have a full year of training funded by Scotmid.
Dedicated volunteers make up 95% of people in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), with nine out of ten RNLI crew members having no previous maritime experience. RNLI crew members rely on their training to be able to continue to save lives at sea and return home to their loved ones safe and sounds after every rescue.
Training hones boat handling skills, encourages teamwork and enables lifeboat crews to make the right decisions at key moments in any rescue. Intensive initial and ongoing training takes place at our lifeboat stations throughout Scotland and is complemented by specialist courses delivered at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.
It costs an average £1,400 to fully train one crew member each year. This year, Scotmid, a co-operative society at the heart of Scotland, committed to supporting local communities through investment, has pledged to make a donation of £21,000 to the RNLI. This will fund a full year of training for one volunteer crew member at each of the 15 lifeboat stations in Scotland that are within five miles of a Scotmid and/or Semichem store.
The support will ensure that volunteer crew have the best possible chance of saving everyone, every time.
Paul McKeown, Fundraising Lead for RNLI in Scotland, says: ‘We rely on donations to power our lifesaving work and our volunteers are the lifeblood of the RNLI. It’s important to make sure they are equipped with the right skills and the training so we can continue to provide the service that we have done for nearly 200 years.
‘The support from Scotmid will see training happen for lifeboat crew members at 15 different lifeboat stations across Scotland. On behalf of the RNLI, I’d like to say a big thank you to all the members and customers of Scotmid for supporting the RNLI and helping us to continue to save lives at sea.’
Kenny Rodgers joined the crew at Loch Ness RNLI in November 2022 and is one of the many volunteers who will benefit from this funding.
‘I joined the crew at Loch Ness RNLI because I wanted to learn new jobs that are totally unrelated to my work and meet new folks locally. I also wanted a challenge and this certainly fits the bill!’
As a new volunteer crew member, Kenny is required to train both at the station and at the RNLI college in Poole to learn the relevant skills to help save lives at sea.
‘The RNLI training is extremely beneficial as I learn both theory and practical. I particularly enjoy being taught and assessment by other more experience crew members at the station. Every one is so willing to help and share their knowledge and experience which makes me feel part of the team. Everyone wants me to succeed.
‘So far, I have done my induction, PPE and boat brief assessments. I attend regular sessions at the station and enjoy listening and absorbing all that is going on.
‘The Scotmid donation will help local people to train to become volunteer crew members and support our community with a highly valid service.’
Rachel Nix also joined the crew at Loch Ness in November 2022 after wanting to get to know more people locally, while learning new skills.
‘My neighbours encouraged me to come along and I have no regrets. I wanted to get to know the local area better, while learning new skills and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
‘The RNLI training is essential because there is a lot of technical know-how needed to be able to be an active and safe crew member. I’m learning new skills and getting to know the team better as they’re supporting with that training and learning.
‘I hadn’t realised how much the RNLI relied on fundraising until joining, so without generous donations like this one, the RNLI would not be able to provide the emergency response support it does.’
Without continuous crew training and assessment, the RNLI lifeboat crews across the country would not be able to respond as quickly and efficiently to emergencies out at sea.
Notes to editors
· Scotmid is providing funding to train 15 crew members at 15 RNLI lifeboat stations across Scotland, totalling £21,000. The 15 RNLI lifeboat stations are all within 5 miles of a Scotmid store and include: Aberdeen, Arbroath, Buckie, Fraserburgh, Helensburgh Kessock, Largs, Loch Ness, Macduff, Oban, Peterhead, Queensferry, Stranraer and Thurso.
RNLI media contacts
Mike Bell, Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
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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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.