Portrush RNLI says Thank You to Portrush Yacht Club.

This morning (Monday 20^th January) volunteer crew from Portrush RNLI presented a certificate of thanks signed by the RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes to representatives of Portrush Yacht Club. (PYC)

For many years PYC has supported Portrush Lifeboat Crew, helping with events, providing a venue for training events and hosting crew celebrations, and generally supporting the station, crew, and the fundraising teams. This morning Lifeboat Operations Manager, Beni McAllister accompanied by Coxswains Dave Robinson, Karl O’Neill, Johnny Weston, and Crew member Tim Nelson handed over the signed certificate of thanks to General Manager Karl Simmonds and PYC Treasurer Alistair Morgan.

Last Year the Committee of PYC stepped in to run the long running Portrush RNLI Raft Race after the last committee stood down.

Beni McAllister Lifeboat Operations Manager said; -

‘Portrush Yacht Club have always had a close relationship with the station in terms of hosting evens and celebrations, giving us accommodation for training events, that we would otherwise have to pay for and hosting fundraising events such as Raft Race and now the ever-popular Santa and SOS Swims – important fundraising events for the RNLI. We are very lucky to have them on our doorstep and we are delighted to hand over this certificate as a recognition of their longstanding support’.

Karl Simmonds General Manager at PYC went on to say; -

‘We are proud to have this association with Portrush RNLI and are honoured to receive this framed certificate of thanks from the RNLI. We are very community focussed and happy to be able to provide the facilities for the station for training and fundraising events. We value our longstanding relationship with the RNLI and looking forward to hosting future events’.

The next event organised by the Swimming Section of the Yacht Club is the SOS Swim (Swim Our Severn) on Saturday 25^th January. Registration is at 2pm at the Yacht Club with refreshments and a raffle in PYC after the swim.

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.