SETS of antlers have helped Dunbar’s RNLI volunteers raise more than £2,000.

The lifeboat crew pulled on their wellies, waterproofs and jackets – with novelty antler hairbands adding a festive flavour – last month for a special fundraiser.

The group had aimed to complete 10 kilometres in the town’s Winterfield Park in their fancy dress to raise money for the RNLI.

However, the event proved overwhelmingly successful, with the volunteers running a combined total of more than 42 kilometres – the equivalent of a marathon – and raising £2,044.

A spokesman for the RNLI said it was not quite as straightforward as it seemed, though.

He told the Courier: “Just as we were heading up to Winterfield Park, the pagers went off.

“That sent some of the crew starting their run early as they hot-footed it back to the station. As it was, our launch – to a report of swimmers in difficulty – was cancelled and we could start the run on time.

“After our fitness instructor volunteer Becs got us all warmed up, we ran laps of the park. We then trotted up and down High Street – to the bemusement of some shoppers!”

The Reindeer Run is a traditional part of the RNLI’s fundraising calendar.

A number of events, including Dunbar Lifeboat Fete and Dunbar Civic Week, where volunteers would be out collecting donations, were cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Becs Millar, part of the inshore lifeboat crew, was delighted to say the Reindeer Run had been successful.

She said: “The response from the public has been amazing.

“We would like to thank everyone for all the support and kind donations we received.

“We can’t save lives without it.”