Charity begins at home as Vic takes the strain

The gyms are closed, but nothing will stop the Fraserburgh lifeboat cox from lifting the weight of 19 boats to raise funds.

From his home set-up, Vic Sutherland is committed to pushing, pressing and hoisting weights to achieve his charity target.

Having smashed his initial goal of the five active lifeboats – 135 tons – Mr Sutherland has now decided to lift all 19 types of lifeboat, a total of 515 tons.

In his role as the cox of the Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat, he is aiming to raise £1,350 towards new PPE (personal protective equipment) kit for the crew.

But it was a spanner in the works when the gyms shut due to coronavirus.

Mr Sutherland, 48, said: “I’ve always had a set of weights at home, but it’s the whole atmosphere of the gym that is missing.

“It has been going well for the last five or six weeks, I have been getting on really well and got a few personal bests.

“That’s on hold now and I’m just aiming to keep training three times a week from home.

“I’ve got a loan of a decent set of weights but I’m on the lookout for stuff like a better bench as mine isn’t quite fit for the weights but it’s coping for now.”

Mr Sutherland’s crew are also all stationed at home and have precautions in place for any call-outs which may involve Covid-19 cases.

Anyone wishing to support the fundraising cause should contact vicsuds24@btinternet.com

Fraserburgh lifeboat cox Vic Sutherland