Community / Aith raises ‘awesome’ amount for RNLI
NEARLY £10,000 has been raised for the RNLI thanks to an Aith Lifeboat online auction and a takeaway supper night.
The highest single amount paid for an auction prize was a unique RNLI teddy made by Burra Bears, which fetched £260.
A carrot cake made by Aith coxswain John Robertson even managed to raise £75.
The Aith Lifeboat Gala Committee organised the recent online auction in the absence of the usual annual event, which was called off for a second year in a row due to Covid restrictions.
A total of £6,842 was pledged during the auction on a variety of items local businesses, craftspeople and members of the community donated.
On top of that there are also donations and profits from a takeaway supper night organised by Aith Community Hall volunteers, bringing the total to nearly £10,000.
Robertson said: “What an awesome amount to be raised by our community over the course of just one weekend.
“The support for the RNLI, and the generosity towards our fundraisers in Shetland, never fails to amaze me and the crew. A huge thanks to everyone who donated – and also to our dedicated team of organisers who have gone above and beyond to raise a record amount.”
Frances Moffat, member of the organising gala committee, hopes that the community can gather in person again to celebrate the 2022 gala in style – for what will be the event’s 50th anniversary.
“A huge thank you to everyone who made bids or donations, put forward auction items, or enjoyed our takeaway food over the course of the weekend,” she said.
“Special thanks to the local trawlers Radiant Star, Mizpah and Venture for kindly donating fish and helping with costs.
“We are extremely proud of our lifeboat here in Aith and are always happy to show our support to the crew.
“The benefit of moving the Gala online has been that folk from all over Shetland – and even further afield – could help raise money for this charity that means so much in our nautical community. Thanks to everyone for taking part.”
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