RNLI welcomes donation in ‘a very difficult year’

ADundee lifeboat charity has netted £1,000 after a plea for funding support. Broughty Ferry RNLI chiefs expressed fear for the charity’s coffers as coronavirus saw almost all fundraising events cancelled, while demand for their lifesaving services increased.

After hearing about their plight, Dundee 41 Club dipped into its own funds to support the local lifeboat.

Club chairman Allan Keillor presented lifeboat coxswain Murray Brown with the cheque at the lifeboat station.

Mr Keillor said: “When we read about the difficulties the lifeboat volunteers have faced this year, particularly in relation to funding, we decided to help out.

“This money comes from our funds and we are delighted to be able to present it to the lifeboat crew for all the hard work they do.”

Coxswain Mr Brown said: “We are delighted and very grateful to receive this money.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic this has been a very difficult year for us.

“We have not been able to hold all our normal fundraising events and activities but demand for our service continues and we have been out on numerous shouts throughout the past year.

“The money will be put to very good use.

“We have had all our usual expenses throughout this time and every time we go out on a shout it costs a considerable amount of money.”

Last month the lifeboat crew revealed that despite Covid-19 restrictions, the branch saw an increase in launches compared to 2019, which have included a range of callouts from recovering a capsized dinghy to rescuing a stricken jet skier.

But, despite the bigger workload, local fundraising in Broughty Ferry dropped by £50,000 in that time.

In 2019, £82,000 was raised by fundraising efforts, however 2020 saw donations drop to around £32,000.

A spokesman said: “Currently there are less than 10 fundraisers booked in but we’re hopeful of seeing that increase to a minimum of 20 in preparation for when the lockdown is lifted and things start to return to normal.”

The fundraising committee is currently looking for a new chairman and secretary, with information available on the RNLI website.

Meanwhile, donations can be made at the RNLI Ferry Fundraisers JustGiving page.

“The money will be put to very good use

FUNDING BOOST: From left: Lifeboat coxswain Murray Brown, Dundee 41 Club past chairman John Bennett and current chairman Allan Keillor. Picture by Kim Cessford.