Rescued angler launches RNLI’s Welsh Mayday appeal
Yesterday, rescued angler Mike Dooley returned to Porthcawl lifeboat station to thank the volunteers who saved his life and officially launch the charity’s national fundraising week – Mayday.
Talking of the experience Mike said:
‘I was hypothermic and getting desperate so I started to scream for help and just after that I felt hands grabbing my coat and I thought ‘oh thank God the lifeboat is here.
‘When I heard about the RNLI’s Mayday campaign I wanted to do what we could to help and raise awareness of the amazing job these volunteers do. I will be eternally thankful to them. They are heroes who put themselves in dangerous situations to help others. I owe my life to them and I can’t say anything more than that.
‘As a charity the RNLI needs every penny so, please give what you can this Mayday as you never know when you may need their help.’
All across the country, RNLI volunteers are putting their best foot forward, holding various fundraising events to help save lives at sea.
The RNLI staff will be preparing a Mayday Breakfast BBQ this Friday as they welcome supporters to the charity’s Regional Base in St Asaph. Food will be served between 8am-10am with welly wanging competitions, a cake stall and equipment demonstrations for supporters to see as they enjoy a breakfast bap.
Bala Rotary Club’s 12th Walking Challenge will be held on Saturday 7 May where members of the public can take part in aid of the charity that saves lives at sea. Offering various distances to suite both amateur and the experienced walker - more information can be found on www.balachallenge.org.uk.
If you have energy to spare after the Bala challenge, Barmouth RNLI volunteers are offering a Historical Walk on Sunday 8 May. The historical walk will start from the boathouse at 11am.
Later in May, Pwllheli RNLI are opening the doors to the boathouse on Saturday 28 May as the volunteers hold a Family Fun Day for the whole community.
Barmouth lifeboat will be holding another event on Sunday 29 May as the station hold their annual Boathouse Rocks music festival.
Finally the Mayday fun will come to an end on Monday 30 May with an RNLI Duck Race and family fun day at Dyserth Waterfall.
Visit RNLI.org/Mayday to donate and to see the other ways you can support the campaign.
Notes to Editor
Attached are photos of Mike meeting Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat crew yesterday afternoon. Credit: RNLI/Danielle Rush
Photos 1 and 2 show Mike Dooley with Porthcawl RNLI volunteers Simon Emms, Ross Purchase and Matthew Picton.
Photo 3 shows RNLI volunteer Simon Emms with Mike Dooley.
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For more information please phone Eleri Roberts RNLI Press Officer on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or Chris Cousens RNLI Press Officer on 07748 265496.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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