Volunteers needed for RNLIs Mayday flag days

RNLI are hoping to get a good response to their Mayday collection this year.

The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, is issuing its own call for help, appealing for volunteers and fundraisers to get involved with ‘Mayday’, the organisation’s forthcoming national fundraising event which will take place from May 1st-4th this year.

Street collections and fundraising events will be taking place in and around Cork. The charity, which saves lives at sea, is calling on people to show their support – either by volunteering to help with collections and events, or by taking part in a fundraising activity, in aid of the RNLI.

Most of the events will have a ‘welly’ theme, in a nod to the yellow wellies – an essential piece of kit – worn by the volunteer lifeboat crew members. Welly walks and welly-themed cake sales are just two examples of the events that will be taking place.

Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews in Ireland launched 1,089 times bringing 1,414 people to safety. They are on-call 24/7, every day of the year, ready to respond emergencies at sea.

Alan Nevin, RNLI community fundraising manager for Munster, said the RNLI’s dedicated volunteer lifeboat crews are always ready to respond to the Mayday calls of those in distress at sea. ‘We’re now hoping people will respond to our call, by volunteering a bit of their time to help with some of the collections and events we have planned for the four days spanning the May Day bank holiday weekend, or by taking part in a fundraising activity,’ he said.

‘RNLI lifeboat crews are volunteers, who are willing to give up their time and put their own lives at risk to rescue those in danger around our coastline. We hope people will get behind us and show their support. We have some fun events planned, so hopefully people will enjoy themselves while also doing their bit to support this lifesaving charity,’ he added.

All money raised through Mayday fundraising events will support the RNLI’s lifesaving work – it could be used to fund crew training, buy new crew kit, or contribute towards the running costs of a lifeboat station.

The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard 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 140,000 lives.

Anyone interested in getting involved can see what is going on in their area and sign up at: www.rnli.org/Mayday, or contact Alan Nevin [email protected]