£20,000 closer to an independent lifeboat at St Abbs

The fundraising efforts to bring an independent lifeboat to St Abbs are continuing with two major events in the past week.
Life ring at St Abbs Lifeboat StationLife ring at St Abbs Lifeboat Station
Life ring at St Abbs Lifeboat Station

Firstly, an auction in aid of the charity raised £10,450.

This was later nearly matched by a grant of £10,000 from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.

Organisers took to Facebook after the massively successful auction, hosted by Scotland rugby star Sean Lineen, to thank everyone who helped and who made bids.

“What an evening on Saturday,” they posted.

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“We sold 160 tickets, which was a lot more than we could have imagined, but the numbers helped to create a fantastic atmosphere.

“The auction was a huge success, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Scotland rugby legend Sean Lineen as auctioneer. He definitely got the crowd into the spirit.”

“It gives us great pleasure to announce that the amazing sum of £10,450 was raised for St Abbs Lifeboat on the night. The fact that everyone said they’d had a great night was the icing on the cake. Thanks everyone.”

Meanwhile, the SFF gave £10,000, after the removal of the RNLI’s boat from the village.

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Concerned by the removal of the Atlantic 75 boat and the resultant downgrade in cover for fishermen along Berwickshire’s stretch of coastline, the federation are very pleased that inshore lifeboat cover for their members will once again be improved and upgraded when St Abbs Independent Lifeboat is launched.

St Abbs Atlantic 75 lifeboat was the only inshore lifeboat on the south-east coast of Scotland,and far along the Northumberland coast,that could operate beyond Force 4/5 and in sea conditions beyond Moderate. The village has been without a lifeboat since September.