From Wigtown I drove on to
Portpatrick, a village on the
extreme south-westerly tip of mainland Scotland, cut into a cleft in steep
cliffs. Dating back some 500 years and built adjacent to the ruins of nearby
Dunskey Castle, its position on the Rhins of affords visitors views of the
Northern Irish coast to the west, with cliff-top walks and beaches both north
and south. The village was founded on fishing origins, with construction of the
crescent shaped harbour that remains the focal point of the village today.
The Portpatrick RNLI Station is
at the very hub of the community and this week is a hive of fundraising
activity for the Portpatrick RNLI Station where the community and visitors all
come together to enjoy a wealth of activities for all ages. Their activities
are all geared towards embracing the RNLI family and involving everyone in the
vital work this tremendous organisation caries out.
I have been fortunate this year
to visit the RNLI HQ in Poole, to visit the first RNLI Station at Douglas on
the Isle of Man and walk with RNLI crews throughout England. This was my first
RNLI visit in Scotland and there are many stations I hope to visit as I
continue my walk in Scotland, then back to England and then on to Wales. I have
mentioned a little of the history of the RNLI in previous blogs, but always
welcome the opportunity to champion the RNLI Charity http://www.rnli.org.uk/
 |
| Day 194 and stopping off to support the Port Patrick RNLI Station on my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
It was at Douglas on the Isle of
Man that Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Hillary BT (Born on the 4th
January 1171 and died on 5th January 1847) founded the RNLI in 1824.
Sir William personally helped save 509 lives and was awarded the Gold Medal of
the Institution for Great Gallantry three times.
Living at Fort Anne in Douglas,
Sir William soon became aware of the treacherous nature of the Irish Sea with
many ships being wrecked around the Manx coast. He drew up plans for a lifeboat
service manned by trained crews, intended not only for the Isle of Man, but for
the entire British coast. His plans were enthusiastically adopted by
philanthropic members of the London society and the “National Institution for
the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck” was founded on the 4th
March 1824. The title changed 30 years later to the “Royal National Lifeboat
Institution” and the first of the new lifeboats to be built was stationed at
Douglas in recognition of his work.
 |
| The Royal National Life Boat John Buchanan Barr at Port Patrick on Day 194 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
The RNLI is funded by voluntary
donations and should you wish to support them, the link is here; http://www.rnli.org.uk/how_to_support_us/donate
It is a pleasure to carry the
RNLI logo on my BRIT 2012 mile Jacket and also on my walking staff. The crews
have been very generous in presenting me with Polo Shirts and T-Shirts with
their RNLI Station Badges on them and it is always a humbling experience to be
treated with such warmth and hospitality from volunteers who risk their lives
every day of the year.
 |
| Stopping off to be shown around the The Royal National Life Boat John Buchanan Barr at Port Patrick on Day 194 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
The RNLI are always looking for
volunteers and at the forefront of my mind is the need for the younger
generation of volunteers to step forward and be trained and be part of these
remarkable crews around Great Britain and Northern Ireland. If you are
interested in volunteering, to find out more, the link is here; https://volunteering.rnli.org.uk/wd/plsql/wd_portal.show_page?p_web_site_id=2464&p_text_id=1506
With best wishes
 |
| On board The Royal National Life Boat John Buchanan Barr at Port Patrick to support the RNLI on Day 194 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
to all the
volunteers of the RNLI and I look forward to meeting many more volunteers and
crews as I continue my BRIT 2012 mile walk.
Phil