BOAT owners from Helensburgh and Lomond joined in this week’s “mass sail” on the Clyde to raise cash for the country’s lifeboats.
A flotilla organised by Tunnock’s owner Sir Boyd Tunnock and Clyde Cruising Club saw boats sail up the river dressed with decorative bunting and whistles in an attempt to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
The nautical day out saw Sir Boyd, 88, skipper his 38-foot yacht which he christened Lemarac - caramel spelt backwards - and raised over £10,000 for the institution.
Members of the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club (RNCYC) joined the Tunnock's flotilla on Monday, as the rowing skiff recently renamed Farouk’s Galley, after late member Mike Hardey, had its first outing.
A group from Rhu Marina also headed out to join in the event.
Suzanne Bell, marina manager told the Advertiser: “It was fantastic weather. The customers arrived at the marina, picked up their goody boxes and we all headed out to the pier area before waiting and anchoring there. At around 2pm we sounded the hooters and whistles with everyone.
“Those who hadn’t donated through the Just Giving page donated on the day, and the whole thing raised over £10,000!
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“It was rescheduled from last year because of Covid, and there were three meeting points for all the boats - one at Helensburgh, one at Gourock and one at Inverkip. Everyone was in good form and enjoying the fund-raiser.”
The local marina will also host a “plastic-free” fund-raising event which will see funds raised for British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the county’s biggest marine mammal rescue organisation.
Suzanne continued: “We’ve got a plastic-free afternoon tea fund-raiser for the BDMLR, the group that rescued the northern bottlenose whales a few months ago [in the Gareloch].
“The idea is that on Tuesday, which is World Ocean Day, we’re saying to everyone to join us with a tea plate, mug and cutlery and have an afternoon tea on us and make a donation to the BDMLR.
“There are two local businesses who are providing scones and sandwiches – Fancy Fillings and The Ginger Breadman.”
The afternoon tea fund-raiser will take place on Tuesday, June 8. For more information click here.
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