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RNLI calls on new volunteers to join its fundraising crew in Galway

Lifeboats News Release

The RNLI is looking for new fundraising volunteers to join its lifesaving crew across at its branches in Galway City, Clifden/Connemara and Aran Islands.

Mary McDonagh

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.

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.

Mary McDonagh is the souvenir secretary on the Clifden/Connemara RNLI Fundraising Branch and volunteers her time for a range of fundraising events throughout the year.

She got involved four years ago: ‘I lost two brothers at sea and I wanted to help out the crew who were there for us when we needed them, I wanted to give back. Those crew are all volunteers and their lifesaving work is reliant on the donations raised through fundraising and they really deserve it.’

Mary says she loves being a part of the fundraising crew and finds reward in knowing the work of the branch makes a difference: ‘I love it all, the meetings, the events and all the people. The lifeboat crew support us all the time, they find time and they are special people. I find it rewarding that I am trying to do something that will help the crew such as providing them with the right kit and equipment to carry out their work at sea.’

Encouraging others to get involved, Mary says: ‘Please come along and join us, you will feel fulfilled knowing that you are doing something useful to help the lifeboat crew. And if like myself you have lost someone, you know you are remembering your loved ones in giving back.’

Mary Creedon, RNLI Fundraising Partnership Lead hails the selfless efforts of people like Mary: ‘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. 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 in Galway City, Clifden/Connemara or Aran Islands, 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 146,000 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.