Generous wellwishers have pledged over £17,400 to date for a Stornoway lifeboat appeal.
The online fundraiser ends tonight (Saturday).
A charity webpage at www.justgiving.com was set up after the lockdown curtailed the lifeboat station’s programme of fundraising events.
Former lifeboatman, John Maclennan, started the ball rolling with a charity bike ride to mark his 70th birthday, expecting to raise a modest sum for the RNLI.
But the donations kept rolling in, clocking up hundreds of pounds a day since it started about a month ago.
John Maclennan, chairman of the Stornoway RNLI branch said people have been “overwhelming generous.”
He added: “I am really struggling for words to express the deep gratitude and sense of such supportive encouragement which all of us at Stornoway lifeboat station feel.
“This sum is especially meaningful and highly appreciated at this time of lockdown.
“Each one of us at RNLI Stornoway branch say a huge and sincere thank you to each one of you who has raised this money.”
Mr Maclennan highlighted support at this time is “highly valued and vital” to the RNLI as normal fundraising activities are suspended.
The lifeboat shop in Stornoway had to be closed, coffee afternoons are cancelled, flag days are on hold while bagpacking is out of the question, all due to social distancing rules.”
Stornoway RNLI lifeboat appeal bypasses £17,000 on final stretch
6 June 2020
