Union Hall RNLI Excellence in Volunteering Award for Brian Crowley of Skibbereen
Union Hall RNLI volunteer Brian Crowley has received an Excellence in Volunteering Award from the RNLI, for his hard work, dedication and promotion of the services of the Institution.
Unfortunately due to the pandemic, Union Hall RNLI could not present him in person with his award but hope to mark this achievement next year.
'This is such an achievement as Brian is volunteering with the RNLI for ‘only’ 66 years so far,' said Pamela Deasey, Union Hall RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer. 'He was asked then to join by Mrs Bridges in Glandore, and he said yes straight away. As a young man growing up in Union Hall, he was aware of the dangers of the sea, and he wanted to raise awareness and help raise vital funds for the service.'
Brian was well known throughout West Cork at the time as he used to co-own the ever popular Crowley’s Hall in Union Hall, where many a West Cork couple met, and his first undertaking was a dance which was a tremendous success, and this was then the start for Brian. He became Secretary of Leap, Glandore and Union Hall branch in 1976 as well as filling in a lot of other roles, until the current branch set up in 1997.
'Words like dependable, trustworthy, selfless and courageous are the ethos of the RNLI and Brian has proved to be a great ambassador having these qualities in abundance. This is not Brian’s first award, as he also received his silver badge for fundraising in 1985 and a gold badge in 2003. He has many a story to tell about all his years service and all the tremendous characters he has met along his way. Brian thanked all the various fundraising managers he has worked with over the years.'
Speaking following news of the award, Mick M’Kenna, Chair of fundraising at Union Hall RNLI said: ‘Everyone at Union Hall RNLI would like to firstly congratulate Brian for this much deserved award, and secondly thank him for all his time, efforts and dedication throughout all these years, in helping to raise vital funds for the RNLI. We are all extremely proud of his achievements’.
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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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