Lough Ree RNLI fundraising branch calls on new volunteers to join its lifesaving
The RNLI is looking for new fundraising volunteers to join its lifesaving crew at its branch at Lough Ree.
Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew. Volunteers are at the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and without them, the organisation couldn’t continue to save lives at sea and on inland waters.
But it’s not all about volunteering on lifeboats or at a station, there are many other ways people can give a little or a lot of their time to support the RNLI and make their own lifesaving difference.
Eileen Browne is the souvenir secretary on the Lough Ree RNLI Fundraising Branch and has been a volunteer for approximately eight years. Her fundraising work is varied throughout the year and includes a variety of tasks such as co-ordinating the sale of gifts, toys and souvenirs at a pop up shop.
‘I am originally from Dublin but live in Athlone,’ Eileen explains. ‘My father was from Athlone and when we were children we spent our summers on a cruiser on the river, it was an idyllic childhood. Having been on the water as a child and having a family with a boat, I have always been anxious about the importance of water safety.’
It was through Eileen’s membership at Lough Ree Yacht Club that she was asked by fellow club member Vincent Rafter, the Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Treasurer, if she would get involved and she hasn’t looked back.
She finds the work of those on the branch rewarding: ‘I feel I am helping the lifeboat to function; the volunteer crew need it all and it is such a worthy cause. I also lost a brother to drowning on the River Barrow and that is always in the back of my mind.’
Encouraging others to get involved, Eileen says: ‘There is a job for everybody whether they are water people or not, we are always looking for volunteers. It is very rewarding to see the success of our efforts and there is a social aspect, it is great meeting people.’
Mary Creedon, RNLI Fundraising Partnership Lead hails the selfless efforts of people like Eileen: ‘Without our volunteers, the RNLI simply would not be able to operate the way it does today. With 92% of the RNLI’s income coming from donations, the charity relies on the generosity of supporters and on the dedication of our fundraising volunteers to help raise essential funds. Thousands of community fundraising volunteers organise a wide range of activities and events each year, contributing their time, energy and skills to raise money to save lives at sea and on inland waters. Some of our fundraisers have been volunteering for many years while some just join us for a few months in the year depending on what their commitments allow.
‘We now really need to bolster that support and grow our volunteer fundraising crew. If you like to have fun, enjoy meeting new people and want to join a motivated and enthusiastic team, we encourage you to find out more and apply. You will learn new skills, gain experience and have the rewarding satisfaction of giving back. The RNLI will also provide all the necessary training and support so you can carry out your chosen role effectively.’
To find out more about how you can sign up to be a fundraising volunteer at the RNLI at Lough Ree, or to apply, click on this link rnli.org/OneCrewVolunteers
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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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.