New volunteers are needed to join the fundraising 'crews' at Stornoway and Leverburgh RNLI to help save lives at sea.

It emerged today (Wednesday March 1) that the RNLI is looking for new fundraising volunteers in both the Stornoway and Leverburgh areas.

Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew. Volunteers are the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people.

They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and without them, the organisation couldn’t continue to save lives at sea.

But it’s not all about volunteering on lifeboats or at a station, there are many other ways people can give a little or a lot of their time to support the RNLI and make their own lifesaving difference.

Jane Maciver is a volunteer fundraiser at Stornoway RNLI Lifeboat Station. "I have always supported the RNLI, but after I lost my partner in a fishing boat accident, the local station was incredibly helpful and supportive, and I decided I wanted to be more involved and become a volunteer.

"I get an immense amount of enjoyment out of raising money for such a worthy cause and enjoy being part of the local RNLI fundraising team.’

Alison Byers, RNLI Scotland Engagement Lead said: ‘Without our volunteers, the RNLI simply would not be able to operate the way it does today. With 92% of the RNLI’s income coming from donations, the charity relies on the generosity of supporters and on the dedication of our fundraising volunteers to help raise essential funds. Thousands of community fundraising volunteers organise a wide range of activities and events each year, contributing their time, energy and skills to raise money to save lives at sea. Some of our fundraisers have been volunteering for many years while some just join us for a few months in the year depending on what their commitments allow.

‘We now really need to bolster that support and grow our volunteer fundraising crew. If you like to have fun, enjoy meeting new people and want to join a motivated and enthusiastic team, we encourage you to find out more and apply. You will learn new skills, gain experience and have the rewarding satisfaction of giving back. The RNLI will also provide all the necessary training and support so you can carry out your chosen role effectively.’

To find out more about how you can sign up to be a fundraising volunteer at the RNLI, or to apply, visit this link rnli.org/OneCrewVolunteers