PICTURES: Coxswain 'humbled' by support for lifeboat service as Wick RNLI Harbour Day returns
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Coxswain Allan Lipp admitted he was "blown away" by the level of support from the community after the Wick RNLI Harbour Day raised a five-figure sum for the lifeboat service.
The popular event returned on Saturday afternoon for the first time since before the pandemic with a crowd of up to 2000 gathering on the quayside as flags, bunting and a range of attractions generated a gala atmosphere.
The final sum raised has yet to be confirmed but it is likely to be in the region of £11,000.
“I am genuinely blown away with the support," Mr Lipp said. "It was such an awesome turnout, and the generosity of the community is quite a special thing.
“I think everybody was probably looking for an event of some sort. There has not really been a lot on, with lockdown restrictions and everything else.
“It was just a day where everybody could get together. We are very humbled by it all."
There were displays by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Police Scotland, Wick airport firefighters, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and Highland and Islands Blood Bikes along with parades by Wick RBLS Pipe Band and live traditional music performances.
The Wick lifeboat Roy Barker II was open to the public, and its counterpart from Longhope made the trip over from Orkney.
Visitors were welcomed on board the Wick Society's historic fishing boat Isabella Fortuna and one of the crew transfer vessels from the Beatrice offshore wind farm. Trips around the harbour were offered by Wick Coastal Rowing Club and Caithness Seacoast.
Covid meant the annual event had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021.
“We really just started talking about it three months ago as the restrictions were easing," Mr Lipp explained.
“It was quite a tight squeeze getting everything done, but everybody rallied round as a team and as a community.
“We're just really chuffed that it has been a success.”
He added: “Local companies have been generous. Some of the fishing fleet have been putting in not just gifts of fish and crab but monetary donations as well.
“We didn't want to ask for too much this year. With previous harbour days, a request has gone out to companies looking for donations, but we didn't really want to do that this time around because everybody has had a hard time.
“We were just keen to get an event on.”
Members of the Wick lifeboat crew as well as the fundraising committee turnout out in force to help with the running of the event.
“We've got a really energetic team," Mr Lipp said. "We are always looking for more people, fundraising-wise especially, if anybody is wanting to join up or be part of it.
“It is a fundraising group – there is no real tie or commitment there, just as and when they can commit the time.”
Mr Lipp explained that the total amount raised had been boosted by a donation of £1300 from RNLI supporter Garry Macmillan from his boat display at Helmsdale harbour, as well as £1000 from the SSE Beatrice wind farm.
"Garry has worked really hard with that," the coxswain said. "He's more of an ambassador to the RNLI than a fundraiser because he stops and speaks to people and has a right good chat with them.
"He is a thoroughly decent guy. He has set himself a target this year of raising £5000 for us and that's a phenomenal sum by itself for an individual.
"And SSE is a really big supporter of us."
Wick RNLI branch chairman Murray Lamont presented nine-year-old Kelsie Dunn with the station's young helper of the year award. During the visit of the Storm puppet last year, Kelsie collected more than £500 for the lifeboat.
The RNLI has 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland and is funded mainly by donations. It receives no government funding.
