Portaferry RNLI volunteers recently welcomed representatives from Ballygalget Gaelic Athletic Club (GAC) to the Co Down lifeboat station where a donation of £1,000 was handed over to the charity that saves lives at sea.
The money was raised during a cold-water dip which took place at nearby Cloughey Beach during the club’s Ballygalget’s Better Lifestyle (BBL) initiative.
The initiative encourages club members and the local community to improve their lifestyle by taking up various fitness challenges over a number of weeks. One such challenge was their well organised fundraising charity dip.
Patricia Browne, chairperson of Portaferry’s fundraising guild was present at the station to receive the donation and said: “We wish to thank the committee and members of Ballygalget GAC for this incredible donation, and congratulations to everyone to took up the BBL challenges especially those who went into the water to raise this money.”
Portaferry RNLI water safety officer John McAleese, who visited the club and delivered a talk on how to stay safe in and around the water during the BBL initiative, added: “This is the second water safety talk Ballygalget GAC have organised; both have been well supported.
“It was great to see the club encouraging not only their members but also the local community to attend the water safety talk and help raise awareness of the simple steps needed to enjoy the water safely.
“I attended the swim, but just watched from the shore. It was a great event for everyone in the community and I thank the members of Ballygalget GAC for organising it and inviting me along.”
