
Lough Ree RNLI opens Christmas shop at Coosan Point
As the festive season draws near Lough Ree RNLI throws open the doors of the lifeboat station at Coosan Point for a special Christmas sale next Saturday afternoon (26 November).
RNLI Christmas cards are central to the charity’s fund-raising drive at this time of year. Always high on the shopping list of supporters the Christmas cards and other RNLI merchandise will be on sale at the new lifeboat station on Saturday afternoon next from 1pm.
Lough Ree RNLI Treasurer Vincent Rafter said: ‘the public support of the charity and its volunteers are crucial for the organisation. So far this year Lough Ree RNLI volunteer crew has responded to 47 call outs on the lake.
Over the past two years RNLI fund raising in the midlands has been focussed on the provision of the new lifeboat station which opened in June.
The facility itself is fast becoming a major attraction in the area with volunteers hosting planned visits every month.
Recently the volunteer crew were pleased to receive an encouraging note of thanks, following a visit, from a young girl in Athlone.
Eliza Crosbie (9) from Retreat Heights was part of a group from St. Ciaran’s N.S., Baylin who visited the lifeboat station recently. In her letter she expressed an interest in helping the charity in any way and perhaps making use of her life saving skills. The letter was accompanied by a colourful drawing of the lifeboat on the water.
Station Visits Officer at Lough Ree RNLI, Paul Kelly, said: ‘the visits are a new initiative for us and this is one of the first responses we have received. The future of the RNLI is assured with the enthusiasm Eliza and her friends have expressed for the organisation.
So impressed were the Lough Ree RNLI volunteer crew with the letter that they invited Eliza to the station this week for a personal tour. Lough Ree RNLI Operations Manager Kevin Ganly and Station Visits Officer Paul Kelly made a small presentation to Eliza to mark the occasion.
Note to picture editors: Picture (L-R) Paul Kelly, Station Visits, Lough Ree RNLI; Eliza Crosbie; Kevin Ganly, Operations Manager, Lough Ree RNLI
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.