Cheque presented to RNLI

NHS Western Isles staff recently presented a cheque for Â£251.10 to the Stornoway Lifeboat Ladies Guild. The money was raised by staff in December by holding Christmas Jumper Day and a raffle. As winners of the '˜best decorated office', accountants Kathleen Maclennan and Nicola Pearson were given the choice of charity to benefit and plumped for the RNLI.

Kathleen has family ties to the lifeboat and the sea. Her brother is a fisherman and father, John Maclennan, was a crewman on the lifeboat for 25 years and is now chair of the Stornoway branch of the RNLI. Her partner has also joined the lifeboat. Kathleen said: “With all these connections and living in an island community, we are so thankful to have the station here.”

Hailing from Oban, Nicola wholeheartedly agreed that their ‘winnings’ should go to the RNLI.

Ellen MacDonald, chair of the Stornoway Lifeboat Ladies Guild, and Maggie Macleod, its treasurer, were delighted to receive the cheque from health board staff.

Ellen said: “We really appreciate this donation. We are very thankful for everything that the community does to support us, and for everyone who thinks about the lifeboat, because there are so many different charities in Stornoway and every penny counts.

“Being an island community, everyone is aware of the dangers of the sea and the lifeboat service is a very necessary part of our community and a well supported part of our community.”

As Maggie pointed out, the RNLI does not receive any direct government funding and is dependent on charitable donations, she added: “There are a lot of charities within the area of health, so it was exceptionally good of staff to think of the lifeboat at this time. We really do appreciate it.”

Picture shows staff based at the Health Board Offices. From left to right in the centre are: Maggie Macleod, Kathleen Maclennan, Nicola Pearson and Ellen MacDonald.