Masterchef winner Gary Maclean visits Helensburgh RNLI crew

Gary Maclean, who won the 2016 series of MasterChef: The Professionals, checked in at the lifeboat outpost on Wednesday, October 9 to cook up a delicious meal for the RNLI members as part of the charity's latest fund-raising campaign.

Glasgow-born Gary was announced as Scotland's first ever national chef in 2017, a post created by the Scottish Government to promote the country's produce.

And he didn't disappoint in the Burgh as 15 crew members enjoyed their fish and chips in the station’s boat shed.

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The RNLI fish supper campaign runs from Friday, October 11 through to Friday, October 27 and the charity is urging supporters to host their own fish supper fund-raiser in support of the volunteers who drop everything to respond to their pager, even meals.

Gary said: "I am showing my support to the RNLI by hosting a fish supper as their life-saving work in waters around the UK and Ireland is extremely important to me."

Helensburgh is home to an Atlantic 85 class lifeboat and launched 30 times in 2018, coming to the aid of 11 people.

Gary, who is the executive chef based at the City of Glasgow College, regularly crosses paths with many seafarers.

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He added: "We train almost half of all merchant navy cadets, who go afloat and will continue to do so throughout their careers.

"Having a charity such as the RNLI who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice, including meals, is very comforting.

"I know that, by supporting campaigns such as this, I can contribute to the RNLI and allow them to continue to save lives at sea."

To receive a free fish supper fund-raising pack, and information on how you can support the campaign, visit rnli.org/fish-supper.

READ MORE: Check out the latest news from around Helensburgh and Lomond here