RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat shop prepares for start of anticipated busy summer season

RNLI staff have earlier this week visited Shetland to update the displays and merchandise at the shop in the Old Tollbooth Building on Lerwick’s waterfront.

Many new RNLI branded items are now in stock, with new designs and artwork across a range of clothing, homeware, stationery, toys and gift items. New stock includes the current ‘RNLI 200’ range marking the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary this year.

More customised items are also now available, which are often popular as souvenirs for visitors or friends and families overseas.

Profits made from all items sold in the shop raise funds for the RNLI, helping the charity to save lives at sea. The RNLI receives no government funding and relies entirely on fundraising and donations to meet their costs, including training and equipping lifeboat crews and stations.

The Lerwick Lifeboat shop is run by volunteers from Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild, who open the shop on selected days throughout the summer months. A busy season ahead is expected, with around 150 cruise ship visits due to call in Lerwick Harbour.

The Guild also host other fundraising activities throughout the year, such as attending country shows, and organising coffee mornings and online auctions. An upgrade of the shop’s till systems means that shop volunteers now also have a hand-held reader to be able to accept contactless card payments at events away from the shop premises.

The Lerwick Lifeboat Shop will open for the first date of the summer season on Saturday 6th April, from 10.30am to 4pm.

Linda Simpson, Joint Chair of the Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild said: “We’re really pleased with the new displays and a new range of really attractive items in the shop for the summer months ahead. We hope these will be popular with customers who will know that with every purchase, they’re helping to save lives at sea.”

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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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.