Generous Kirkcudbright community rallies to raise more than £60k towards lifeboat station upgrade

Generous Kirkcudbright Community Raises Over £60k for Lifeboat Station Upgrade

Residents and businesses in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, have come together to raise an impressive sum of over £60,000 towards a significant upgrade of the town’s lifeboat station.

The initiative, led by volunteers at Kirkcudbright RNLI Lifeboat Station, aimed to gather £50,000 for the renovation of the station located at Torrs Point, which dates back to 1892. However, the community’s overwhelming support has exceeded expectations, with the total funds raised surpassing £60,000 and donations still pouring in as the fundraising efforts are set to continue into the New Year.

May Brown, President of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright RNLI Fundraising Group, expressed her gratitude, stating, “The new boathouse will bring our facilities into the 21st century and give the volunteer crew the facilities they deserve. We are absolutely delighted and overwhelmed with all the support for our appeal so far. We cannot thank our local community and supporters enough for their generosity in supporting us with this appeal.”

The fundraising campaign, which kicked off in June, aimed to raise £50,000 out of the total £1.2 million required for the station upgrade. Thanks to the immense generosity of supporters and the community, this target has been exceeded, paving the way for construction work to commence next year.

The upgraded station building will feature separate amenities such as changing facilities and toilets for both men and women, a warm-up area for volunteers, and a dedicated workshop for maintaining the lifeboat. The fundraising efforts received a boost from various individuals and organisations, including the Kirkcudbright Development Trust, Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities during the Arts and Crafts Trail, and local choirs like Soundwave and the youth choir.

Noteworthy contributions also came from the Kirkcudbright RNLI fundraising committee, who organised a series of successful events such as talks, raffles, and coffee mornings. Volunteers went the extra mile by participating in personal fundraising challenges like running a half marathon and swimming 200 lengths at the local pool.

Jill Hepburn, Head of region for the RNLI in Scotland, commended the community’s response, saying, “Every single penny raised will go towards the £1.2 million needed to provide the volunteers at Kirkcudbright RNLI with a new boathouse and modern facilities. We would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support with this appeal so far.”

To show your support for the campaign or make a donation, click here.

In conclusion, the united efforts of the Kirkcudbright community in raising funds for the lifeboat station upgrade exemplify the spirit of solidarity and generosity that can bring about positive change and support vital services in local areas. The enthusiasm and dedication shown by volunteers and supporters highlight the importance of investing in facilities that enhance the safety and well-being of those who work tirelessly to protect others at sea.