Youghal RNLI honours six long-serving volunteers for helping save lives at sea
Youghal RNLI recently said 'thank you and goodbye' to six long-serving volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the years to help the charity save lives at sea.
Anne Muckley spent 37 years as part of the fundraising team holding many different roles, including treasurer and secretary. Over the years she has made many friends and enjoyed the comardary. During that time she has seen many changes, including a new boathouse and three different lifeboats.
Noreen Varney first joined Youghal RNLI 30 years ago as one of the first female volunteer crew members. She spent six years on the lifeboat, and later she held many different roles within the station and on the fundraising team.
Susan Mason and Breda Gardiner both began volunteering as fundraisers in 2000. During those 19 years they have helped organise many successful events including the annual table top quiz and coffee morning. Susan has many fond memories including the first ever reindeer run whilst Breda recalls the time the Duke of Kent came to visit the station in 2013.
Pat O’Keefe came onboard in 2010, spending the last few years as chairman of the fundraising committee. A highlight for him was seeing the local community come out in support when the current inshore lifeboat, Gordon and Phil, arrived in 2016.
Thomas Cliffe served as a volunteer lifeboat crew member from 2000-2018, during that time he was involved in the rescue of 14 lives from a shipwreck.
Derry Walsh, Youghal RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘We are indebeted to these six volunteers for selfless and dedicated contribution to helping the RNLI to save lives at sea. It has been a pleasure to work alongside them and it is sad to see them go but we wish them all the best for the future.’
Notes to editors
· Photo 1: From left, Thomas Cliffe, Breda Gardiner, Susan Mason, Noreen Varney, Pat O’Keefe and Anne Muckley
· Photo 2: Anne Muckley with Erik Brooks, Youghal RNLI and Derry Walsh, Youghal RNLI Launching Operations Manager
. Photo 3: Thomas Cliffe with Jason Ansbro, Youghal RNLI and Derry Walsh, Youghal RNLI Launching Operations Manager
· Photo 4: Mark Nolan, Youghal RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, Noreen Varney, Eric Brooks, Youghal RNLI, Derry Walsh, Youghal RNLI Launching Operations Manager and Brendan O’Driscoll, Youghal RNLI Deputy Launching Authority
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Lou Stepney-Power, Youghal RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0868930572 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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