KINGHORN RNLI Lifeboat volunteers have received a donation of £350 from Menzies Aviation at Edinburgh airport.
The airport services company made the donation from company funds to Kinghorn lifeboat station and it will help with crew training and equipment costs.
Kinghorn Lifeboat tractor driver Billy Baldwin is an Airside Duty Manager with Menzies Aviation at Edinburgh airport, fitting his voluntary work with the RNLI around his professional job.
Billy Baldwin presenting the cheque to Kinghorn Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Wibberley (left)
Andy Boyd, Senior Vice President of Menzies Aviation in the UK and Ireland said, ‘Menzies Aviation are very proud of Billy’s commitment to the RNLI, and are pleased to be able to support him and the RNLI in the great work they do’
Kinghorn Lifeboat Station is one of the busiest in Scotland, having attended 12 callouts already in 2012. The station covers much of the Firth of Forth including the Fife coastline and much of the Edinburgh seafront.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Paul Wibberley said, ‘The RNLI receives no government funding in the UK, and relies entirely on fundraising events and donations such as this to allow the charity to operate and provide a lifeboat service 24 hours a day all year round. We are delighted that Menzies Aviation thought of the RNLI and this money will allow us to continue saving lives at sea.
Paul continues,‘Only 10% of lifeboat crewmembers come from a professional marine background, so training is essential; it costs approximately £1,500 per year for training for each crewmember. This training is essential to ensure crew are able to operate complex equipment on the lifeboat and be an effective search and rescue asset.’
Further details of how to take part in fundraising events for the RNLI can be found on its website
