Monte Carlo or bust! RNLI's Kessock crew set for European adventure in old banger to raise £10,000
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LIFESAVERS on the Black Isle will be swapping the seas for an epic overland charity challenge next month – and it's Monte Carlo or bust for the plucky crew!
A number of crew members from the RNLI's Kessock lifeboat team will be getting behind the wheel of an old banger in July as they attempt to drive all the way from Inverness to Monte Carlo to mark the 30th anniversary of the Black Isle station – and hopefully raise thousands for the charity into the bargain.
The rally is aiming to generate £10,000 to improve the general facilities of the Kessock lifeboat station.
And their chosen form of transport for the mammoth challenge will be a 21-year-old BMW estate decked out in the RNLI's signature orange and blue colour scheme.
The car has previously been used by two other lifeboat stations to raise money for the RNLI. In 2019, Ramsgate RNLI completed the Monte Carlo Rally then passed the car on to Tynemouth RNLI, who had planned to do the same rally in 2020 before Covid intervened. However, they eventually did a shorter charity rally to Inverness last year before passing the car on to the Kessock Lifeboat Station for their own Monte Carlo adventure in 2023.
"The Kessock crew plan to redecorate the car to resemble their own Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, with self-righting bag, navigation lights, radar, VHF comms and most importantly, a rather loud foghorn!" said a spokesman.
Related: Four emergency call-outs keep RNLI's Kessock lifeboat very busy over weekend
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"The plan is then to complete a six-day road rally calling at Newcastle, Paris, Turin, Monte Carlo, London and, finally, back to Inverness. Assuming the car survives the journey, it will then be offered to other lifeboat stations who wish to complete a similar fund-raising event.
"The car has been purchased, insured, and taxed by the crew at their own expense, and participating crew members will cover their own accommodation and expenses during the trip.
"Unless a fuel sponsor can be found, they will also cover the cost of this.
"We need the help of local businesses to sponsor certain things in exchange for advertising on the car, social media mentions and the kudos of helping this car to Monte Carlo – why not put your budget to good use this year? If you’re not the decision maker, but reading this, please show your boss, and share share share.
"If you’d like any more info, or to make a donation, please send us a message and one of the team will be in touch."
To find out more for to the RNLI Kessock station's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RNLIKessock.
