Online raffle set to give huge boost to new Kirkwall lifeboat fund

An online raffle is set to raise thousands of pounds to assist with the purchase of a new lifeboat.

The couple behind the fundraising extravaganza, John Hamilton and Ann Sutherland, say the event has exceeded all expectations and have thanked the over 70 businesses who have donated prizes.

They have received a fantastic response so far, already raising more than £16,000 to assist with the funding of a new Kirkwall lifeboat, as people buy tickets to be in with a chance of winning the huge variety of prizes on offer.

The Kirkwall station of the RNLI has set a £50,000 target to purchase a new Severn Class lifeboat this year.

The new lifeboat will be a refitted and refurbished Severn, which is expected to be serviceable for the next 25 years — thanks to the Severn Life Extension Programme (SLEP), replacing the existing Margaret Foster as it sails into the sunset in 2022.

Mr Hamilton and Ms Sutherland are behind the Friends of Stoneworks Orkney charity who raise money for other charities in the county.

They will host a livefeed on their Facebook page tonight at 7.30pm. In addition to tonight’s raffle, their JustGiving page is also collecting money for the RNLI for the next two weeks.

Writing on their Facebook page, the couple say: “We would like to thank all who donated gifts and all who bought numbers for our raffle tonight.”