#rnilmayday – 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 1–4 May this year.
Street collections and fundraising events will be taking place throughout the country. 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.
Mayday will launch on Friday 1 May and run in Ireland across the four-day May Day bank holiday weekend.
Most of the events will have a 'welly' theme, in a nod to the yellow wellies – an essential piece of kit – worn by the charity's 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.
Pauline McGann, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager for Leinster, says:
'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.
'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.'
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.
Anyone interested in getting involved can see what is going on in their area and sign up at www.rnli.org/Mayday, or contact Pauline McGann [email protected]