It was September 2006 when I wrote about the RNLI for the first time. For those of you who don't know it, the RNLI, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, is a charity that provides a 24-hour lifesaving service around the UK and Republic of Ireland. There are 233 RNLI lifeboat stations in the UK and Republic of Ireland and most lifeboats are operated mainly by volunteers. Because of the fact that the RNLI is a charity, they totally rely on gifts, regular fundraising events are held throughout the UK.

RNLI SOS day, their biggest fundraising day, is such an event and will be held on Friday 30 January which is tomorrow! Their website states: "It's a great way for everyone to have some fun, whilst raising funds to help the RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards save lives at sea. Whether you get people to Sample Our Snacks, Sponsor Our Sports or something completely different, you'll be helping the RNLI to rescue 21 people every day." Special events are organised all over the UK including some in the Argyll area. Some of the events in Argyll are "Brew for the crew at Ballachulish Visitor Centre!" and "SOS bingo evening in Campbeltown". Check out all the other events on the Events in Scotland page. I am not aware of any events on Islay and if anything pops up I will update this post. Events or no events, that shouldn't keep you from making a donation to support the fantastic work so many lifeboat crews all over the UK do each year, hence the title of this post: "Spend On Safety".

Mark from Islay Studios sent me the picture below from Islay's Lifeboat Crew.

The Islay Crew pictured here were mentioned in an article about SOS day on the BBC website. A quote: The RNLI said the Islay crew saved the lives of seven when called to a stricken boat, operating in conditions which the volunteers described as like a "deep spin in a washing machine".

Tag: rnli sos charity fundraising