Members of the Arbroath RNLI have visited the town’s Co-operative store in Timmergreens to thank the company for its recent fund-raising drive.
The RNLI said it had received a “tidal wave of support” from Co-operative Group staff and customers in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man who raised £190,000 in 90 days for the lifesaving charity.
Staff and customers at 430 food stores across the Co-operative network, plus head office staff, helped to double the original target of £90,000 during a three-month fund-raising drive when staff donned wellies at work, sold limited edition RNLI rubber ducks and organised a variety of local fund-raising activities.
In the Arbroath store, staff smashed their original target by 803% — raising £1069.
John McNeill, operational director for Co-operative Food, said, “We are enormously proud that together, our staff, members and customers have raised this fantastic amount for the RNLI.
“It has been a real co-operative effort and we would like to thank all our customers for their generosity and for supporting our staff in raising so much for this lifesaving service,” he added.
Ross Mackay, corporate fund-raising manager for the RNLI in Scotland, added, “We are overwhelmed by the tidal wave of support from Co-operative food store staff and customers.
“The generous donation will help the RNLI pay for a year’s training for volunteer crew at six lifeboat stations in Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.
“It will also fund three Y boats, the daughter inflatable boats on board all-weather lifeboats, and the cost of essential maintenance crew lifejackets at 24 RNLI lifeboat stations.
“I’d like to thank staff members and customers for raising so much.”