The RNLI has received a €5,000 donation from the Irish Defence Forces team that won the Beaufort Cup during Cork Week Regatta. The competition invites sailing teams from the military and emergency services to take part in a series of races in an event that has become a firm favourite in the racing calendar. Last July Baltimore RNLI, on their boat Joker 2, gave the Defence Forces boat Juggerknot a close run in the competition but were ultimately pipped at the post.
The winning team receives a prize fund of €10,000 to be given to a nominated charity but the Defence Forces opted to split their donation, giving €5,000 to Crumlin Children’s Hospital and €5,000 to the RNLI. At a presentation which took place in the Crumlin Children’s hospital in Dublin, the Defence Forces were represented by their Chief of Staff, Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett, the Skipper of the winning boat, Cmdt. Barry Byrne, Colonel Ray O’Lehan and Captain Deirdre Fahy. Present to receive the donation for the RNLI were Baltimore Chairperson of Fundraising, Declan Tiernan and RNLI Media Manager Niamh Stephenson.
Speaking following the presentation Baltimore RNLI Fundraising Chairperson Declan Tiernan said, ‘It was a lovely surprise when we heard that the Defence Forces were donating half of their prize to the RNLI and we were incredibly honoured to share it with Crumlin Children’s Hospital. The Beaufort Cup provided a fantastic week’s racing and it came down to a close finish between the Defence Forces and Baltimore RNLI at the end.’
‘We’d also like to acknowledge Crosshaven RNLI who had a boat in the race and performed exceptionally well. All of this has just whetted our appetite to come back bigger and better next time and Comdt Byrne should expect another nail bitter to the finish. We are tremendously proud of our team and are so grateful for the generosity of the winners from the Defence Forces.’
Declan went on to thank those who had allowed the station enter the competition by providing or sponsoring support. Andrew Algeo, who donated his boat Juggerknot free of charge for the crew to race and PPL Ltd., James and Joanne McKenna, Peter O’Flynn Cushman from Wakefield, Peter and Anthony O’Leary from O’Leary Insurance and Bushes Bar all provided generous sponsorship.
Juggerknot Crew :Youen Jacob (Skipper & Baltimore Lifeboat Crew), Peter O’Leary (Tactician) Pat Collins, Cathal Cottrell, Jim Baker, Aiden Bushe, Kieran Cotter, Jim Griffiths (Crew and Baltimore Lifeboat Crew. Garry Haughton, Sandy Remington Bowman and Fionn Lyden (Crew)
