Mary's lap of map for the RNLI is almost complete

With the finish line in sight, Mary will be returning to the very spot from where she set off, this Saturday (14 April) to be greeted by family, friends, supporters and lifeboat crew from around the country.

During her amazing adventure, 65 year-old Mary has been up hill and down dale. She has been taken into people homes and shown incredible hospitality from local businesses and clubs across the country.

Mary has captured the hearts and imagination of people nationwide, visited over 40 RNLI lifeboat stations and raised more than €32,000 for the charity so far.

Commenting on her achievement Mary said: 'I'm excited to be so close to finishing and raising a great sum for the RNLI and its volunteers.'

Mary started her journey on New Years Day 2018 with an aim to raise as much money as possible for the charity and to complete an 'RNLI LAP OF THE MAP.' She left her small business in the capable hands of her son and departed with a plan to keep in touch with the RNLI the whole way around and to rely on the kindness of strangers and people she met enroute at the various lifeboat stations. Through her dedicated support team this soon changed and local people, hotels, B&B’s all got onboard and provided Mary with everything from accommodation to massages, runners, equipment, food and much more.

Mary’s Lap of the Map has also amassed a significant following on social media, where her supporters have cheered her on through the emotional ups and downs of her journey. Her route has taken her anti clockwise around Ireland. Her initial fundraising target was €20,000 but she has long ago smashed that.

She added, ‘I started off thinking about €20,000 and would have been very happy to reach that, now we’re over €30,000 and still climbing, I suppose reaching this target shows how well supported the RNLI is by the people, places and communities I’ve been through’

She added: ‘RNLI volunteers save people at sea and on our inland waters every day. In my opinion, they’re the real heroes. They put themselves right in the thick of what can be the most unforgiving environment; our seas and waterways.’

You can join the final week of Mary’s journey by visiting her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/rnlilapofthemap2018 or by following her on Twitter @rnlilapofthemap

Her fundraising page is: https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/rnli-lap-of-the-map

Ends

Notes to Editors
Media are welcome to attend Mary’s homecoming event at 2pm, 14 April on the main street in Arklow outside the Courthouse and then to Arklow Lifeboat Station, South Quay, Arklow.
Mary will be available for interview.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0868260439, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.