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12 Swims of Christmas raises €9,150 for Fethard RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Fethard RNLI is hugely grateful to a group of local winter swimmers who each braved the elements completing 12 Swims of Christmas during December, at Baginbun Beach, raising an amazing €9,150.

Liam Ryan Photography

12 Swims Swimmers present €9150 to Fethard RNLI

Set up by local artist Helen Mason, this safety conscious swimming group who prefer to swim in numbers, grew from single figures to almost 70. In an effort to stay motivated this December, as the sea temperatures dropped, the group set themselves a goal of 12 swims, and a fundraising target for Fethard RNLI.

Speaking at the presentation, Helen said: 'To help stay focused, we decided to turn the month of December into a fundraiser for our local RNLI in recognition of the time and dedication given by our local RNLI volunteers. We enjoyed every minute of it, and how we laughed and joked!’

Yesterday (30 January) Helen, the swimmers, and their families, presented the cheque to volunteer lifeboat fundraising committee member Sarah Bates and Fethard RNLI chairperson Tony Molloy at Fethard RNLI's boathouse.

Commenting on this amazing amount raised, Tony said: 'It is dedicated fundraisers like Helen and the swimmers that help keep RNLI stations going. As a charity we depend on these generous acts of fundraising to run our station, train our crew, and update our lifesaving equipment. Thanks to everyone who got involved in the swims and all who logged on to the charity page and made their donation. It is because of everyone involved; we get to save lives at sea.’

Ends

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.