Successful open day and cruise for RNLI

Thursday 13th June 2019

Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild raised more than £9,000 at its latest open day on Saturday (8 June). Hundreds of people braved the weather to attend the event on Victoria Pier which featured stalls, RNLI souvenirs, raffles, teas, barbecue and ice cream, face painting and a full programme of live music.

Displays from the emergency services teams including fire, police and coastguard. There was also a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes, with RNLI crew conducting tours onboard the lifeboat Michael and Jane Vernon.

More than 400 people took part in the offshore element of the event, with a trip around Bressay onboard Serco NorthLink’s MV Hrossey. Passengers enjoyed a display by the lifeboat, along with MV Hrossey’s fast rescue boat, carrying out man-overboard exercises.

The Treasurer of the Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild, Rhoda Watt, said: “So far we’ve raised over £9,000, which is a marvellous total. None of this could happen without the support of so many people – all our dedicated helpers, musicians, lifeboat crew, fire service and coastguard volunteers, and of course all the public who turned out to support this very important cause. We also give our sincere thanks to the whole NorthLink Ferries team for their continued commitment and assistance.”

Stuart Garrett, Managing Director of Serco NorthLink Ferries, said: “As people from seafaring communities already know, the RNLI really is one of our emergency services. We’re proud to be involved in helping them with yet another successful open day.”