Lough Ree RNLI fundraising reaches community target for new lifeboat station

The presentation was made by Michael Ganly, Chairman of the Lough Ree RNLI Appeal Committee to Anna Classon, Head of Ireland, RNLI.

On her first visit to the new lifeboat station Anna Classon said she was ‘really impressed by the partnership between the RNLI and the IWAI and to see two great organisations sharing resources for the benefit of the community.’

The community contribution was the result of a fundraising campaign, which ran for more than twelve months, and was supported by community groups, the corporate sector, and a host of individuals for the lakeside community and beyond.

Presenting the cheque, the Chairman of the Lough Ree RNLI Appeal Committee Michael Ganly said: ‘the work of people like committee secretary Pauline Irwin and all others involved was crucial to the success of the venture.’

The new lifeboat station has been very active this year and has been a particular asset to the 46 volunteer crew as the charity and its lifeboat ‘Tara Scougall’ responded to 46 callouts in the year to date.

Reflecting on the successful fund-raising campaign the Treasurer of Lough Ree RNLI Vincent Rafter thanked: ‘all the ‘Go Fund Me’ campaigns, tests of endurance and anonymous donors who contributed amounts large and small to this special community initiative.’

Note to picture editors:

1. Anna Classon, Head of Ireland, RNLI accepting cheque from Michael Ganly, Chairman, Lough Ree RNLI Appeal Fund.

2. Lough Ree RNLI volunteers, supporters and staff at the presentation:

Front (L-R) Mary Hearty, Vincent Rafter, Pauline Irwin, Michael Ganly, Anna Classon, Kevin Ganly and Damien Delaney

Back (L-R) Tom McGuire, Peter Harty, Tony McCarth, Brian Wilson and Jude Kilmartin.

Ends

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For more information please telephone Tom McGuire, Lough Ree RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872470245 or email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea and on inland waters. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of 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.

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