Mrs. Brown's Boys star welcomes Rhyl RNLI lifeboat crew after £10,000 donation

Brendan O’Carroll, the star of hit BBC comedy Mrs Brown's Boys, shocked Rhyl RNLI volunteers in March (2017) by announcing on stage in the Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl that he would donate £10,000 towards the new state-of-the-art Shannon-class lifeboat to be stationed in Rhyl.

During the show’s latest tour of the UK, Brendan O’Carroll invited the volunteers of Rhyl Lifeboat Station to meet up with the cast and crew in the Liverpool Echo Arena.

Brendan O’Carroll says: ‘It is our pleasure to have been able to send funds to Rhyl Lifeboat Crew. There are very few in this world that willingly put themselves in harm’s way for the good and safety of others. We can only stand back in awe of you and coastal rescue teams across our islands. Thank God you are there, and you will always have our support.’

Rhyl RNLI Coxswain Martin Jones says: ‘After nine months, I am still in shock by the generosity of Brendan O’Carroll. It is such a humbling experience to have so many people support us as a charity and have our station held up with such a high regard that support for our new Shannon-class lifeboat is spreading as far as the Emerald Isle.’ He continued: 'The cast and crew of Mrs. Brown's Boys made us all feel very welcome on the night and I can’t thank them all enough for the support they have given Rhyl Lifeboat Station.’

The £2.2M Shannon class lifeboat, which was designed to replace the Mersey and Tyne class lifeboats, is the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet. Reaching top speeds of 25 knots, the Shannon is nearly 50% faster than the Mersey, giving crews the ability to reach and assist casualties faster when time is of the essence.

After faithfully serving Rhyl RNLI for over 24 years the station’s Mersey class lifeboat Lil Cunningham is edging towards the end of her operational life.

Anyone looking to support Rhyl RNLI’s fundraising efforts should contact Rhyl RNLI lifeboat station on [email protected] or the RNLI Community Support Team on 0300 300 0128.

Media contacts:
For more information please contact Colin Jones, Rhyl RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer by email on [email protected] or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.