Final preparations are underway at the three Donegal based RNLI Lifeboat Stations for six volunteers crew members to climb Donegal’s highest summit, Errigal, this Saturday (13th May) – in full RNLI crew kit!
The six volunteers include two from each RNLI station at Arranmore, Bundoran and Lough Swilly for the charity’s Mayday Mile challenge.
Since the fundraiser was announced a few weeks ago, the six lifeboat crew members Chris Fox and Brian Fowley (Bundoran), Stephen Quigley and Barry Nixon (Lough Swilly) and Aisling Cox and Brian Proctor (Arranmore) have been psyching themselves up for the challenge.
Gym sessions have been completed and many steps have been climbed in preparation for the event.
Killian O’Kelly, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager and organiser of the fundraiser has been encouraging the six crew.
He said “We’ll be right there with them on the day – we know it’ll be a tough one for them. I’d like to thank everyone who has donated so far and remind people who would like to contribute that the Just Giving page remains open and details can be found on each station’s facebook page.
“A massive thanks also to the crew from each station who have volunteered to complete the challenge. It’s not what the crews are used to, they face challenging conditions at sea when they go and help those in trouble on the water, but this is very different for them. We also want to show people where their funds go and that we are grateful for every cent to give us.’
During this month of May the RNLI is encouraging members of the public to complete their own “Mayday Mile” however they see fit. Money raised through the Mayday Mile could help RNLI lifesavers have everything they need to keep families safe this summer.
Warmer weather draws more people to the water, and RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews will drop whatever they’re doing when a call for help comes in.
For updates on the Errigal climb on the day, keep an eye to the social media channels of Arranmore RNLI, Bundoran RNLI and Lough Swilly RNLI.
Donations to the Errigal challenge can be made via a special Just Giving page which has been set up –
https://www.justgiving.com/page/one-crew-climb-errigal – the final sum will be divided equally between the three Donegal stations.
