Featured photo: Bundoran RNLI
RNLI lifeboats in Donegal were launched over 86 times last year, bringing 62 people to safety.
Some 28 of those launches were carried out in the hours of darkness.
The RNLI has three stations serving Donegal’s coastline. Last year, Arranmore RNLI was the county’s busiest station, launching 41 times and assisting 28 people.
Lough Swilly RNLI launched 29 times, coming to the aid of 24 people.
The Bundoran RNLI crew launched on 16 call-outs, rescuing 10 people.
With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, and urging the public to get involved with its national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile. Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every cent raised helping to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond.
Ken Cashman, Courtmacsherry RNLI Coxswain says: ‘Usually it’s our lifeboats crews heading out to respond to Mayday calls, but now we’re the ones asking for help. Thousands of people get into danger on and around the water each year and need our help, but everything we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.’
Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.
Ken added: ‘It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services remains high, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes. We’re now heading towards our busiest time of year, so we’re putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today, and allow us to be there when we’re needed most.’
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
