Funding boost for Lochinver lifeboat

LOCHINVER lifeboat station was presented with a cheque for £500 by Gordon Stone on behalf of Total Oil’s Alwyn North Charities Committee.

Mr Stone handed the cheque to lifeboat coxswain David MacAskill, pictured here together with a number of the crew on board the Lochinver RNLI Severn class lifeboat Julian and Margaret Leonard. The generous donation was made towards the cost of media equipment for the station, which will prove a most valuable asset for crew training purposes.

A spokesman for Lochinver RNLI said: "Most of the crew members are volunteers. They need skills as well as courage if they are to operate lifeboats, rescue casualties and bring them safely home. Regular training exercises are held at the station on a weekly basis, helping to build teamwork and maintain a high degree of competence amongst the crew.

"Various rescue scenarios are practised, requiring crew members to carry out a number of tasks to familiarise themselves with the range of equipment and procedures necessary for the safe and successful operation of the lifeboat."

On behalf of the crew, David MacAskill and Lochinver’s mechanic Stuart Gudgeon, thanked Mr Stone for the charity committee’s kind donation.

Pictured on board the Lochinver lifeboat Julian and Margaret Leonard are crew members, left to right, George Bakker, Robbie Kinnaird, coxswain David MacAskill receiving the cheque from Gordon Stone of the Alwyn North Charities Committee, Jo Mackay and Stuart Gudgeon.