Rescued Climber in Fundraising Run for Stromness RNLI

Monday 4 September 2023

Louise Houghton, who was rescued by Stromness RNLI volunteers, returned to Orkney a year after her climbing accident to say 'Thank You' to the crew of the lifeboat for saving her life.

Louise, in lifeboat T-shirt standing ready to run — Louise ready for the off

Louise fell from Yesnaby Cliffs in May 2022, sustaining terrible injuries. Prompt action by coastguards on shore, Stromness RNLI lifeboat, coastguard helicopter and medical staff at Orkney's Balfour Hospital and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary saved her life and got her well on the way to recovery.

In June 2023 Louise and her entire family travelled back up to Stromness from their home in Wigan to meet the crew and say a big thank you. It is no exaggeration to say friendships have been formed that will last lifetimes. Some of Louise's family and friends ran a half marathon a few months ago and raised £3,800 for RNLI.

Now, in August 2023, Louise has pulled on her own running shoes and completed a 5k course, raising a further £1,000. She had thought she may need to walk a bit but managed the whole thing at a steady jog. She plans to do one or two 5k runs a month as her recovery continues.

In a rash moment, a crew member in Stromness said they would run at the same time as Louise to give moral support. On the event the day was the worst weather of the summer, with lashing wind and rain so the Stromness run became a walk in full, yellow RNLI kit. Some helpers and guild members joined in wearing RNLI T-shirts (under their coats, after the group photo had been taken). A further £325 was put into their collecting buckets by the generous Stromness folk brave enough to be out on the street.

Notes to editors

· Stromness lifeboat station has been operating since 1867. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/stromness-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Richard Clubley, 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

Louise running across a field with Welsh hills behind — Louise, during the run in the Welsh countryside

Stromness crew and guild in the station before stepping out into the rain — Stromness Moral Support Team

Five crew members, wet but happy, with collecting buckets — Wet walkers ready for a cuppa

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.

Rescued Climber in Fundraising Run for Stromness RNLI

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