Bundoran RNLI volunteers Finn Mullen and Killian O’Kelly were among those on the hallowed turf of Croke Park ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final.
The Donegal pair were there to promote the charity’s water safety partnership with the GAA. The initiative aims to reduce the number of people who lose their lives through drowning each year.
While most of this work is carried out at club level through educational talks and presentations, the charity was offered the opportunity for the last eight years to deliver a pitch activation on key dates. Together on Saturday, both organisations delivered important water safety messages to over 80,000 people who were attending the sellout match between Cork and Dublin.
Speaking about Saturday’s event, Finn Mullen, Bundoran RNLI crew member and RNLI Water Safety Education Manager said: ‘This partnership highlights the shared values between ourselves in the RNLI and the GAA, notably volunteerism and the importance of communities. It is always a privilege for volunteers like ours at Bundoran, to be invited to Croke Park on such a big day in the GAA’s championship calendar and to have the opportunity to promote water safety”.
Bundoran RNLI volunteers, Finn Mullen and Killian O’Kelly, on duty outside Croke Park ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final.
The joint activity consisted of a flag display on the pitch just before throw-in. One flag displayed an image of two lifeboats at sea while the other, highlighted the partnership, with the banner ‘Saving Lives Together’. RNLI volunteers in full kit crossed the touchline and paraded towards the Hogan Stand before coming to a halt and allowing the flags to be displayed until the National Anthem was played.
Earlier in the afternoon, as fans entered the turnstiles they were greeted by an Atlantic 85 class lifeboat which was on display while a team from the RNLI were on hand to interact, share water safety advice and demonstrate how to use essential life saving equipment such as a throw bag.
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