LOCALS are being urged to support a charity’s major fundraising campaign which beings this week.
The RNLI is calling on the public to
‘give it some welly’ and support Mayday, which will run from Thursday to Monday, May 1-5.
People are being asked to buy and wear a yellow welly pin badge or keyring which they can buy for
?¬2 or hold a welly themed event to raise funds for the lifeboats in their communities.
The yellow welly is an essential piece of RNLI crew kit. Waterproof with steel-capped toes, the specially designed boots keep the volunteer crew’s feet warm and dry while also protecting them in dangerous conditions on deck.
During gale force winds, rain and ice, keeping a sure footing can mean the difference between life and death for the volunteers.
A pair of yellow wellies for a volunteer costs e50 and supporting the RNLI’s Mayday campaign and buying a yellow welly keyring or pin badge will cost just e2.
Volunteers in locations around the city will sell the yellow welly keyrings and pin badges on May 1 and 3. They will also be on sale at Northside Shopping Centre, Dundrum Shopping Centre and at selected train stations. A special Yellow Welly Fare Day will be held in Skerries on May 4.
Volunteer lifeboat crew have responded to the Mayday calls of those in distress around Ireland’s coastline for 190 years.
Lifeboat crewmembers, who are on call 24/7, 365 days a year, have spent an average of 137 hours at sea over Mayday weekends for the last 10 years.
Most have a full-time job, but they carry a pager and, when it goes off, they rush to the lifeboat station and launch the lifeboat to rescue those in danger.
Last year RNLI lifeboat stations in North and South Dublin launched 124 times and brought 158 people to safety.
Ian Sheridan, a Howth RNLI crewmember, said they were delighted to be supporting the RNLI’s Mayday campaign.
“Each time our lifeboats launch in Howth, it is only possible through the generosity of the public,
? said Mr Sheridan.
“Callouts can range from a sinking yacht to an overdue fishing boat or a swimmer in trouble. Every call is important and could potentially be a life saved.
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Skerries RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Gerry Canning said:
“I am one of 1,500 volunteer crewmembers in Ireland and each of us receive valuable crew training, equipment and kit.
“We rely on the support and the generosity of the public to ensure the lifeboat crews based in Dublin and around Ireland can continue to save lives at sea.
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Pauline McGann, RNLI community fundraising manager, said:
“We are asking people to give it some welly and get behind Mayday from May 1-5.
“The RNLI is celebrating its 190th anniversary this year and during that time 144,000 lives have been saved by the charity.
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For some ideas on how to get involved and to see what is going on in your area, visit www.rnli.org/MAYDAY or call 01-8951837. You can also show your support on social media by sharing your fundraising photos and using the hashtag #YellowWelly.’