The RNLI has answered Mayday calls for nearly 200 years! Distress calls from all types of scenarios, from dogs lost to toddlers in difficulty on beaches, sinking ships and fishing tragedies…it’s all in a days work to them.
It’s the most urgent plea of all used by seafarers worldwide when lives are in danger.
But when the RNLI hear those words, there’s no hesitation and they launch confidently into the unknown in all weathers, to help those who rely on them for help.
This year, the RNLI needs us to answer their Call instead and we here in North Donegal are indeed endeavouring to raise funds in a unique fun fashion.
Our Mayday Team Challenge (North Donegal Lifeboat Supporters)
https://themaydaymile.rnli.org/teams/north-donegal-lifeboat-supporters are currently travelling virtually the length of the Donegal Coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way 1134 kms = 705 miles, by various means, including golfing, cycling, running, walking and goodness knows what else, but indeed the Volunteers are having fun, getting plenty of fresh air and making progress.
A spokesperson said “The team are almost halfway there and indeed our financial target of €705 (€1 per mile) is almost halfway there too, thanks to our generous donors, but there’s still plenty of time to add to our total.
“A special word of thanks to our friends in the Ray Walkers Group as well as Sharon Gallagher, Fiona McNutt and Shirley Ward who are certainly clocking up their miles every week, so if you see them out and about, don’t be shy and pass on a few Euro, cash is still king, despite this being an online Virtual Fundraising event, as we are unable to hold Face to Face events since the start of the Covid Pandemic and restrictions.
“Traditionally there would have been a Mayday Coastal Walk from Downings to the Boardwalk and return, as well as our many Family Friendly Fun Walks during March too.
“Therefore, please follow our link above to donate online, and you can follow the teams progress too. It may surprise many, as it certainly did us, of what a remarkable success we have had so far, in that we are now laying 5th in the distance results throughout UK & Ireland, so come on, Team Donegal, let’s show them we can certainly ‘put your money where your mouth is’ or in this case our feet and ‘our hands in our pockets’ to support a noble Rescue Service.
“We’ll have a few ‘Special Awards’ after the event, so please post your comments and photographs on our Web page above as well as facebook, #MayDayMile. Now is your chance to support our brave Lifeboat Crews in Lough Swilly, Arranmore and Bundoran as they have supported us while answering Mayday Calls on a continuous basis year on year, and not just during the month of May, but all year, every year since its formation in 1824.”