Dunbar RNLI fundraising volunteers are community champions!

The committee volunteers who organise events throughout the year, including the annual Lifeboat Fete, to help save lives at sea won the judge’s vote in a hotly contested category.

Receiving the award on behalf of the volunteers, Dunbar RNLI Fundraising Committee chair Veronica Davies said: ‘It was a big surprise to win but it is wonderful to be recognised for the work the committee does, a lot of which goes on behind the scenes to make the events possible.

“The other finalists – Elaine Clarke and James Wyllie – were just as worthy. It was impressive hearing the work they do for a number of charities.

‘At Dunbar, we rely on teamwork and embody the RNLI ethos of “One Crew”. The volunteers who go out on the lifeboat are just one part of the station. There is also the shop volunteers and fundraisers who work together to help save lives at sea.

“I would like to thank the East Lothian Courier in conjunction with East Coast Buses for the award and to everybody in the local community who supports us, as without their generous support we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

The East Lothian Courier Community Champion Awards, in association with East Coast Buses, took place on Thursday 5 June at the Marine North Berwick.

The incredible event celebrated community champions across East Lothian and recognised teachers, young people, motorbike riders and many more community stalwarts.

Robbie Scott, Editor of the Courier, said: ‘East Lothian never fails to impress. It was an incredibly difficult task picking winners in each of the categories.’

Dunbar RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian Wilson said: ‘Congratulations to Veronica and her team. Our fundraisers work tirelessly throughout the year and are among the unsung heroes of the lifeboat station.’

Notes to editors

With photos

· Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth.

· Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.

· It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.

· A file photo of Dunbar’s lifeboats can be viewed here.

RNLI media contacts

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Alexander Williams, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [email protected]

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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.