Mum’s boost for RNLI crew
Campbeltown’s RNLI station has gained £500 – and possibly some future recruits – thanks to one fundraising mum.
Lynette Stevens presented members of the volunteer crew with a cheque after being so moved by their actions when they discovered a memory jar in tribute to her son, Tyler, that she began a fundraising campaign.
In March, on his first training exercise after passing out as a coxswain, Lorne McMurchy spotted the jar which had been thrown into Campbeltown Loch in memory of Lynette’s son Tyler who died 12 years ago when he was just 23 hours old.
When the crew discovered the story behind the jar, which was filled with fairy lights and messages from all the family, they made a joint decision to help it continue on its journey.
Crew member Carla Jackson, who was on board that night, said: ‘It was only at the foot of the loch and we knew it hadn’t come very far. We took it to the tidal stream at 8.40pm and placed it at the following position, one hour and 30 minutes after high water: 55° 25.00 north, 005° 30.00 west.’
Lynette was so touched
that she spent a week in June carrying out free skin-care consultations and express facials within Keeping It Local’s Main Street premises in return for donations to the RNLI.
She was joined by her partner Dean and sons Logan, 17, James, 15, and nine-year-old Liam, when she presented a cheque for £500, her fundraising target, to the crew recently.
Lynette said: ‘The whole experience has been quite overwhelming at times but I have enjoyed every minute of
it. I have met some amazing people throughout Tyler’s memory jar journey and I am forever grateful to each and every one of them. The local crew went above and beyond for my family and I can’t thank them enough.’
‘For us to hear that it meant a lot to Lynette, I feel it shows that the RNLI isn’t only about saving lives at sea,’ Carla said. ‘It shows that we help our community, and such a small gesture meant that we brought happiness to Lynette and Dean’s family.
‘It also makes us, as a crew, feel that same happiness because when we were out training that night we didn’t go out thinking, “We’re going to make a family extremely happy tonight”. For us it was a normal night until we found the jar.
‘We are so grateful for everything Lynette has done fundraising-wise for us. As everyone knows, the RNLI is a charity and we wouldn’t manage without the generosity and strong-mindedness of fundraisers like Lynette.’
The crew also invited Lynette and her sons to spend some time on the vessel.
‘What an amazing experience,’ Lynette added. ‘My boys now want to become volunteers they enjoyed it that much.’
Lynette says none of her success would be possible without the help of Campbeltown business owners and the community and she would like to thank: Jason McCallum of Keeping It Local; Graeme and Fiona of Graeme’s Waste Solutions; Angels Playground; Wee Toon Trends; Wm Cadenhead Ltd; McKellars; Munch Cafe; The Kintyre Larder; McIvors; Fresh Connection; Snips Hair Salon; Studio 26 Tattoo Parlour; The Brow Clinic; Nails by Vikki; Headquarters Barbers; Campbeltown Picture House; Flora McCabe; and Alexandra and Megan Pitt.
‘I would also like to thank Margaret Bakes and Marjorie Leighton, members of the RNLI committee, and everyone who came along and took part in my fundraising event. I am so grateful.’