Louise races a train for Stromness RNLI

Louise was climbing with her partner, Allan, on Yesnaby cliffs, Orkney, in May 2022 when she suffered a serious fall to the rocks below. She was rescued by the volunteer crew of Stromness RNLI lifeboat - Violet Dorothy and Kathleen.

In a tricky operation the crew launched the Y-boat to reach Louise on a wave-washed ledge in a very awkward position. Louise was strapped into a stretcher and brought out to the all-weather lifeboat standing just off-shore. She was soon transferred by coastguard helicopter to Balfour Hospital in Orkney and then quickly onto Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

After several months in hospital Louise was finally given the go ahead to try walking with the aid of crutches. Determined to regain her strength and get back to her outdoor lifestyle Louise worked hard to walk further and further and, eventually, to start running again.

Recently she took part in the Tywyn Rotary Club's 39th annual Race the Train event at Talyllyn Railway in Wales. The train carries competitors up the track to the start and then races them back. Louise didn't reveal whether she actually beat the train or not but we do know she completed the course in a very respectable time.

Lifeboat rescues are usually completed in a single day. They might even be over in a few minutes or hours. The volunteer crew members go back to their day jobs. The effect of the rescues, however, may last a lifetime and into future generations. One lady told me 'We enjoyed 30 more years with our dad after he was rescued by Stromness Lifeboat in 1965'.

Louise is already watching her niece, born after the accident, grow up. Louise's family and friends are grateful, every day, that Stromness RNLI lifeboat crew were there when they were needed.

Ends

Notes to editors

· Stromness lifeboat station has been operating since 1867. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/stromness-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Richard Clubley, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789