#rnli – The RNLI held its Annual Presentation of Awards at the Guinness Storehouse on Saturday where the charity presented 55 awards to volunteers, groups and businesses from across the country that have made a significant contribution to the RNLI in Ireland through their commitment, dedication and support.
Guest of honour at the ceremony was Leesa Harwood, RNLI Director of Community Lifesaving and Fundraising. Also present was David Delamer, Chairperson of the RNLI Council in Ireland, who welcomed the volunteers and supporters to the ceremony. RNLI Irish Council members Terence Johnson and Peter Killen were also in attendance and the citations for each awardee were read by Emma Gibson RNLI Area Manager and Owen Medland RNLI Divisional Operations Manager for Ireland central.
In her address to the guests Ms Harwood said that the awards were a 'celebration of the difference that the volunteers and supporters had all made to the lives of others.'
'Our charity made an extraordinary difference in 2014. I am very proud to tell you that last year, together, we saved 460 lives. Today we celebrate not just those whose lives we saved, but the people who made this incredible number possible. We celebrate remarkable fundraising feats and decades of lifesaving service given by volunteers. And we say thank you.'
Turning to the RNLI's work in Ireland she continued, 'In Ireland we completed a new trial station at Union Hall in county Cork, and the facilities needed to trial an all-weather lifeboat at Clifden, county Galway. With the backing of their local communities, these vital projects mean we can respond to the changing demands of search and rescue on the water, test new ideas and ultimately save more lives around our coastline.'
Awardees were present from across Ireland representing lifeboat stations and branches in Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Cork, Waterford, Mayo, Kildare and Wexford.
One of the biggest awards of the evening went to the people of Kinvara who took home the Group Supporter Award. A short film was screened showing the incredible support the community gives to the RNLI. The small Galway village came together in 2006 to raise funds for Galway lifeboat station and since then over €100,000 has been raised with every member of the community getting involved.
The highest award to be presented to an RNLI volunteer during the evening was a Bar to Gold Badge, which was received by Ms Patricia Foot. Patricia from Mallow was recognised for her role in fundraising for the RNLI for over half a century.
The recipient of the Branch Support Award went to Dungarvan RNLI. The hard working branch holds a number of successful events throughout the year both alone and in partnership with other stations and groups including the Dungarvan swim and the RNLI Reindeer Run in Fota Park.
Further to these awards ten Gold Badges, twelve Silver Badges and fourteen Bronze Badges were presented to volunteers along with a number of Inscribed Statuettes and Supporter Awards.
Ms Melanie McCaughey received a Supporter Award. Melanie from Howth completed the Paris to Nice cycle in 2014 which consisted of 700km over six days. To date she has raised €10,000 for Howth lifeboat station.
Mr Russell Rafter from Howth Lifeboat Management Group received a Silver Badge. Russell helps to cement the link between the fundraising and operations aspects of Howth RNLI in his role as Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group. He supports the Lifeboat Operations Manager in the running of the station and also helps in fundraising by collecting on their annual flag day in the Howth area. He is an extremely active Chairman.
Ms Maura Farrell received a Scroll of Thanks. Maura along with her small committee organises the very successful ladies lunch in Howth which is one of the highlights of the fundraising calendar. The lunch raises in excess of €10,000 annually. Maura, whose father was the Howth Coxswain, together with family and friends are great supporters of the RNLI.
Ms Kalanne O'Leary from Skerries Station Branch received an Inscribed Statuette. Kalanne is a busy solicitor but when it comes to Skerries lifeboat she is never too busy to support in her role as Deputy Launching Authority. She supports the Operations team in all their duties.
