'Virtual car wash' event asks RNLI Kessock lifeboat station supporters to help plug funding shortfall as pandemic impact takes its toll on finances

LIFESAVERS hampered in vital fundraising efforts because of the coronavirus pandemic are appealing to the Ross-shire public to help replace one of their major charity events with a virtual alternative.

For many years the RNLI Kessock Lifeboat Station charity car Wash has been a hugely popular day in the local calendar – but this year the event couldn't go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Traditionally, hundreds of local supporters attend in all manner of vehicles and leave shiny and clean, with smiles all around and full buckets of lifesaving donations for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Volunteers proudly declare: "No fire engine too large; no smart car too tiny; no vehicle left unwashed."

In 2020 the event raised £2480 - and then lockdown struck, effectively cancelling all fundraising events ever since. That whole year of lost income has been a bitter blow.

Kessock lifeboat crew still launch to save lives whenever they are needed – and the volunteer crew have responded to the pager more than 20 times since lockdown began.

The Kessock crew of lifesavers are now asking any members of the public who would usually come to support them to continue this support by donating to their virtual fundraiser this year.

The event organiser, Lifeboat Helm Douglas Munro said: "The car wash has always been a great success and we appreciate the fantastic and loyal support we receive locally, year after year. It’s also always a great opportunity for the whole crew, that’s the boat crew and the fundraisers, to have an enjoyable day together as a team while generating vital funds to keep our crew safe and lifeboat maintained."

He added: “It costs an average of £155k to run a lifeboat station in Scotland but with the implications of Covid-19, we haven’t been able to fundraise as normal to help keep our lifeboats afloat. Can you help us this year by making a donation to our virtual event?”

To donate and to stay updated with news and events from RNLI Kessock visit their

Facebook and other social media pages or follow this link.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/inverness-and-north-kessock-rnli-fundraising

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