Longhope RNLI celebrates 150 years with 150-mile walk

On Saturday 1 June, the first planned walk of three, which hopes to cover 150 miles to celebrate 150 years of Longhope RNLI Lifeboat Station and raise £150, was completed very successfully.

12 walkers and two doggies from Longhope took to the 8 mile coastal path of Flotta and between them covered a staggering distance of 96 miles! A rapid pace was set by Claire who made it all look so easy. However there were one or two tired limpers by the end of it, but all had huge smiles and the laughter could be heard ringing across the fields as they all happily completed the route before the ferry departed.

A special mention must go to our Coxswain’s son, 10-year-old Jack Johnston who also completed the route with a quiet determination and good humour. We are all really proud of you Jack. The two doggies, Ziggy and Loki couldn’t believe their luck being involved in such a nice long ‘walkies’.

Most importantly a huge thank you must go to the folk of Flotta for joining in and for making us all so welcome and making this event happen so smoothly. The community cafe was a really welcome break during the walk and thank you for accommodating us to sell RNLI souvenirs. As always the Flotta folk were so very generous with £104 being collected in the donation buckets and a further £196 taken in RNLI sales. What a fantastic result from such a small community.

The walkers and helpers were all from the lifeboat guild, the lifeboat crew, launching authorities and RNLI friends and families (and doggies). Thanks also to Trish, our Lifeboat Guild Chair for organising the event and to Viv for sorting the souvenir stall.

On the short ferry crossing home I asked a few exhausted walkers what they thought of the walk . Here are a few of the replies: ‘It hurt’ - ‘It was great fun but a bit tiring ’ - ‘The scenery was wonderful especially the lovely seascapes’- ‘I thought Flotta was meant to be The Flat Isle, it’s not true!’

Well done the walkers or as I called them as they boarded the ferry home, The Longhope Limpers. Such a great achievement and what good training for the next walk around Graemsay! Can’t wait.

If you would like to support us with this challenge, we have a Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rnlilonghope

Ends

Notes to Editors

· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/longhope-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Jaye Mackay, RNLI Media Engagement – Placement for Scotland 07929 673286, [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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