The RNLI asks people to ‘give it some welly’ and answer the Mayday call
As the RNLI announces its 2018 annual rescue figures, the charity is calling on the people of Fermanagh to support their volunteer lifeboat crews as Mayday, the charity’s national annual fundraising campaign, is launched.
Volunteer lifeboat crews at the RNLI’s two lifeboat stations on Lough Erne launched 89 times in 2018 bringing 153 people to safety. Carrybridge RNLI on Upper Lough Erne launched 57 times, rescuing 99 people while Enniskillen RNLI on Lower Lough Erne launched 32 times, coming to the aid of 54 people. These rescues are only possible because of the donations made to the charity by supporters.
For the month of May, the RNLI’s Mayday campaign is asking people to ‘do their bit, fund our kit’ with the lifesaving charity hoping to raise £700,000 to fund the crucial kit volunteer lifeboat crews rely on, like lifejackets, helmets and the RNLI’s iconic yellow wellies.
Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Our crews drop everything when their pagers go off to launch the lifeboat and head out to help those in trouble. Our lifeboat crew kit gives our volunteers the confidence to face various weathers and conditions, night or day. The right kit is vital in helping to make sure they do what they are trained to do and that they bring everyone home safely.
‘Last year, Carrybridge and Enniskillen RNLI crews launched 89 times and rescued 153 people. The RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser is our own call for help, and we are asking people to ‘do their bit to fund our kit’ throughout May.
‘We hope people will answer the RNLI’s Mayday appeal and do something, no matter how big or small, to raise funds for the lifeboat crews on Lough Erne. Every piece of kit on a volunteer has been funded through the generosity of people.’
Anyone who wants to get involved should visit RNLI.org/Mayday to register for a free Mayday pack. The pack provides a host of fundraising ideas, such as encouraging friends and colleagues to plan a wear-yellow fundraiser, getting sponsored to run, walk or cycle, cooking up some yellow-themed bakes to sell or even getting together to lift the weight of a 32 tonne Tamar class lifeboat.
The charity is also encouraging people to show support on their social media, joining the conversation using the hashtag #MaydayEveryDay, or by donating online or buying a yellow welly pin badge.
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Photo Detail
Pictured from left are Carrybridge RNLI volunteers, Nigel Carson, David Reid, Garreth Crawford, Garvan Duffy, Barry Flanagan and Joe Donnelly. Credit: Stephen Scott.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786228968, email, [email protected], or Chris Cathcart, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07595895908, email, [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 00353 876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 00353 871254124 or [email protected]
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland and has 11 lifeguarded beaches which it operates seasonally. 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, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.
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.