The RNLI is looking for new shop volunteers to join its lifesaving team at Kippford.
Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s retail team need a dedicated volunteer crew -people of all ages and abilities – who can give a little time to help save lives at sea.
Jo Cockerill has been the RNLI shop manager at Kippford since 2001 and oversees a team of enthusiastic volunteers many of whom have been involved with the lifeboat for a long time.
‘My husband and son had been part of the lifeboat crew so it was good to be involved as a family and feel like I was contributing to the cause. I enjoy meeting people, many of our customers are on holiday and it’s lovely to see them enjoying our beautiful area. We’re lucky to have a dedicated team of shop volunteers and it would be great to expand this and bring some new faces on board’ said Jo.
The RNLI shop at Kippford had its best year ever in 2021 despite the global pandemic. The volunteers were delighted with the amount raised through shop sales and are motivated to provide the best service possible for the coming season.
RNLI shops started out as simple cake stalls run by volunteers to raise money for their local lifeboat station.
‘These stalls started selling commemorative RNLI products in around 1920 and quickly moved on to selling souvenirs and Christmas cards with all profits helping save lives at sea,’ Lynsey Anderson, RNLI Community Manager explained.
‘The first shop to be run as part of an actual lifeboat station opened in 1990. Today, we have over 170 RNLI shops around the coast and inland, all of which are still run by our dedicated volunteers. They attract many visitors throughout the year and stock an excellent range of unique souvenirs and gifts.
‘The pandemic unfortunately hit our shops hard as they closed for periods of time in line with Covid-19 restrictions. We were delighted when we could reopen them safely in accordance with government guidance and are looking forward to welcoming our visitors in 2022. To do this successfully, we want to grow our team of shop volunteers and are looking for people who enjoy interacting with others, can help us to provide a high level of customer service and ensure our shops continue to be friendly and welcoming places.’
To find out more about how you can help generate vital funds, promote the work of the RNLI, and apply, go to https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/shop-volunteerskippford-474231.html
