Invergordon RNLI delighted to receive a £9300 donation from the East Sutherland Rotary Club
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LIFESAVERS in Easter Ross have received a big cash boost thanks to the generosity of rotarians and classic car enthusiasts in Sutherland.
Four volunteer crew from Invergordon RNLI were recently invited to Rotary Club of East Sutherland's latest meeting, where they were presented with a fantastic donation of £9300 which was raised through their 2023 Classic Car Tour.
East Sutherland Rotary Coast to Coast Classic Car Tour began in 2014 and Invergordon Lifeboat Station was thrilled to be a benefactor of last year's 2023 event.
More than 50 cars were entered into the Rotary Club of East Sutherland's fundraising classic car tour, with the majority of the participants coming from the north of Scotland, but there were entries from as far south as Kent and Wiltshire and even Germany.
The tour started in Dornoch as usual then headed north to Helmsdale via Rogart and Balnacoil. After Helsmdale the route took the drivers up the strath to the North Coast through Forsinard before turning right to Thurso for a lunch stop at the Weigh Inn. The tour proceeded onwards towards John O’Groats before heading south for the final stop at Clynelish Distillery.
Four volunteer crew from Invergordon were warmly welcomed to the East Sutherland Rotary Club evening meal at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club on March 13 where the rotarians meet every second and fourth Wednesday where the crew learned about the work of the rotarians in east Sutherland and some of the fantastic causes supported throughout the region and beyond through their fundraising activities.
Station Coxswain Andrew Murray thanked the group for inviting the crew along, before handing over to press officer and volunteer crew member Michael MacDonald, who gave a presentation insight into the RNLI and the charity's recent 200th anniversary. He also discussed operations at Invergordon where the lifeboat station is celebrating its 50th anniversary is being celebrated in 2024.
Susan Veitch, station tours officer, and station mechanic Robert Hellett gave the group an overview of the RNLI tours and kindly invited the group to the station to have a look around the lifeboat before being presented with a cheque for an incredible £9327 towards the RNLI life-saving operation by East Sutherland Rotary Club president Michelle Johnstone.
A spokesperson for East Sutherland Rotary Club, Alistair Risk said: "The rotary club is delighted to be able to support the RNLI on its 200th birthday as it plays such a key part in the safety of those who relax or work at sea along the Sutherland coast."
Invergordon lifeboat station press officer Michael MacDonald said: “We can not thank the East Sutherland Rotary Club for the amazing donation we have received to help our life-saving operations and ensure the lifeboat is on call for any situation that may develop around the coast. The charity relies on donations and this will aid our cause on Saving Lives at Sea.”
The local rotary club, formed in 1989, is always keen to attract new members to run fundraising events and help raise funds, like the car tour for which the lifeboat station is grateful to have benefitted. For more information on the East Sutherland Rotary Club, please visit www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1668.
