Renowned Chef Derry Clarke serves up fundraising fish supper treat for RNLI crew

He treated the volunteer lifeboat crew to a delicious Fish Supper to promote the charity’s latest fundraising initiative.

Derry is supporting the RNLI’s Fish Supper campaign which is due to take place between the 13^th and 15^th of October and is calling on people across Ireland to sink their teeth into a delicious fish dish to raise vital funds for the lifesaving charity.

The menu for the lifeboat crew was made up of a number of mouth-watering seafood dishes including cured salmon with cucumber, apple and dill, seafood chowder, Flaggy Shore oysters and Lambay Island scallops with cauliflower and raisins. Local hotel and restaurant ‘The Royal’ also got involved when local chef Ryan Walsh added a surprise extra course of fish gratin.

Speaking while cooking Al Fresco at Valentia Lifeboat Station, Derry said: ‘It is an absolute pleasure to cook for the Valentia lifeboat crew. I love cooking for the RNLI, and seafood dishes are always a crowd pleaser. I do an annual BBQ for the RNLI with my wife Sallyanne on Sherkin Island and at Courtown in Wexford so it’s about time I got out to the West coast. The only issue is that you never know if you have enough food as lifeboat crew are always hungry.’

‘I urge anyone who hasn’t tried cooking fish before to give it a try, and impress your friends and family while raising vital funds for the RNLI’s brave lifeboat crews. We are lucky enough to live on an island with a beautiful array of fish on our doorstep. It’s a wonderful idea for a fundraiser.’

The occasion was captured by photographer Jack Lowe, who is travelling around the UK and Ireland photographing RNLI lifeboat volunteers through a Victorian process that captures the stunning images on glass. Jack’s visit to Valentia RNLI marked his 100^th lifeboat station.

Valentia RNLI Coxswain, Richard Quigley said: ‘Our pagers can go off at any time and many a meal has been interupted for a lifeboat launch. Holding a Fish Supper is a great way for people to support us. They can sign up for a free fundraising pack and then enjoy hosting a fun evening with friends and family.’

‘If like us, you’re not Derry Clarke in the kitchen, then you can always serve up something simple like a fish finger sandwich or fish and chips. We really don’t mind.’

To receive a free Fish Supper fundraising pack, and to see some mouth-watering recipe inspiration, visit RNLI.org/FishSupper.

Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews across Ireland launched 1,136 times rescuing 1,649 people.

Kerry lifeboat stations launched 38 times and rescued 47 people, spending a total of 393 hours at sea on service. The charity relies on donations from the public to continue its lifesaving service.

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For more information please telephone Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [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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