For the month of May, the RNLI’s Mayday campaign is asking people to ‘do their bit, fund our kit’ with the lifesaving charity hoping to raise £700,000 to fund the crucial kit volunteer lifeboat crews rely on, like lifejackets, helmets and the RNLI’s iconic yellow wellies.
Stephen Scott, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said:
“Our crews drop everything when their pagers go off to launch the lifeboat and head out to help those in trouble. Our lifeboat crew kit gives our volunteers the confidence to face various weathers and conditions, night or day. The right kit is vital in helping to make sure they do what they are trained to do and that they bring everyone home safely.
“Last year, Carrybridge and Enniskillen RNLI crews launched 89 times and rescued 153 people. The RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser is our own call for help, and we are asking people to ‘do their bit to fund our kit’ throughout May.
“We hope people will answer the RNLI’s Mayday appeal and do something, no matter how big or small, to raise funds for the lifeboat crews on Lough Erne. Every piece of kit on a volunteer has been funded through the generosity of people.”
Anyone who wants to get involved should visit RNLI.org/Mayday to register for a free Mayday pack. The pack provides a host of fundraising ideas, such as encouraging friends and colleagues to plan a wear-yellow fundraiser, getting sponsored to run, walk or cycle, cooking up some yellow-themed bakes to sell or even getting together to lift the weight of a 32 tonne Tamar class lifeboat.
The charity is also encouraging people to show support on their social media, joining the conversation using the hashtag #MaydayEveryDay, or by donating online or buying a yellow welly pin badge.