This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating some of the volunteers at Kippford RNLI, where two mother-child duos give their time together to help save lives at sea.
Marion first joined the fundraising committee in October 2019, inspired by Laura’s decision to become part of the crew earlier that year. As a dedicated fundraiser, Marion has helped at events like coffee mornings, station open days, and quiz nights to support the RNLI.
Reflecting on their shared involvement in the RNLI, Marion says: ‘It’s always a charity that I’ve had an interest in, and it was something I would always support if I could. When we took the kids on holiday, we would try to go along to a lifeboat station and buy something from the shop, so it really is a full circle moment for us as a family.’
‘When Laura told me, “Mum I’ve always fancied joining, and now I’m within shouting distance of a station, I’m going to go down and see what’s what”. She really took the bull by the horns and just went for it. She’s embraced it so much and I’m really proud of her. From there on in, I thought if she’s going to get involved then so am I too.”
‘It’s absolutely a family atmosphere. Everyone chips in, whether it’s the boat crew setting up chairs for a coffee morning or the committee coming together to plan new events. We try to create a fun social calendar while supporting the vital work of the RNLI.’
The crew at Kippford also includes John Robertson, helm and engineer, who has been volunteering with the RNLI for 32 years. His mother, Myrna Robertson, has been a fundraiser even longer. In fact, John’s father was a founding member of the Kippford lifeboat station in 1966, making their family connection to the RNLI span generations.
John says: ‘It’s hard to think of one moment in particular that makes me proud of the work my mum does, because she just does it without even thinking about it. She’s an important part of my RNLI history and I’m pleased that she continues to be involved in supporting the crew through fundraising.’
This Mother’s Day, volunteers like Laura, Marion, John, and Myrna show us that with compassion and teamwork, we can all have a meaningful impact within the communities we call home.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
