Burghead Boxing Day Swim cash bonanza for Buckie RNLI
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BUCKIE RNLI have been handed a four-figure boost thanks to dozens of intrepid swimmers.
The life-saving maritime search and rescue charity joined Erskine Forres and Moray Voluntary Befriending Service in sharing just over £10,000 raised from the Burghead Boxing Day Swim.
A total of 58 jumpers plunged into the cold harbour in Burghead on Boxing Day, 2023, raising a total of £10,050 to be split equally between the three good causes.
The money included £2000 that was dropped into buckets on the day.
Organiser Jamie Campbell was “over the moon” with the total, which is the highest since the jump’s post-Covid return.
“The swimmers take in the bulk of the money so they really are the most important,” he said.
“They all do a great job and some go to great lengths to fundraise.
“Things took a hit after Covid with folk not coming out as much, but every year since we have done better year on year.
“This is the best since before Covid and we are back to where we used to get, so we are over the moon with that and so are the charities.
“We are very grateful for all the support we get from Burghead, Moray, and all the organisations that help on the day. The swim couldn't happen without it.”
Representing Buckie RNLI at the cheque presentation ceremony were the station’s fundraising lead Rebecca Thomson and lifeboat crewmember Lorna Cameron.
Rebecca said: “We are very grateful to everyone involved, especially those who took part in the plunge.
“The Burghead Swim Committee have raised a fantastic amount of money, and we want to thank them for their kind donation and continued support of the RNLI in saving lives at sea.”
The charities supported by the swim are different every year and are decided by the committee. The task of deciding is far from a simple one, with more than 20 applications received.
Jamie said this year’s trio were fully deserving and would be “well-supported”by people locally.
“Our only stipulation is that every charity we pick we make sure is linked to Moray and the money will be spent in Moray,” he added.
“It was very difficult this year with over 20 applications, but the three we chose we felt were strong and would be well-supported.
“Erskine is a charity that is new and getting started in Forres, so we wanted to support them, with the links to the two RAF bases.
“The RNLI has strong links to whole of Moray and Moray Befrienders done a lot of work with vulnerable people and the money will be a massive boost to them. It’s good to be able to support them all.”
