Crowds turn out to support Mallow Raft run

HAVING fallen victim to high waters and fast running currents the previous week, the Mallow Search and Rescue (MSAR) Unit’s raft run finally took to the River Blackwater last Sunday.

While putting back the event for a week undoubtedly had an impact on the number of rafts taking part in the run, 15 teams still took to the water in an array of weird and wonderful craft for the six-mile voyage from Mallow Bridge to Killavullen.

Unit PRO Willie Walsh said the decision to switch the date of the event from March to September may have also had an impact on the number of entrants.

“That is something that we will have to look into for next year. That said, the event was still a great success thanks in no small measure to the hundreds of people who turned up at the start point and lined the route along the way,” said Willie.

Run on an entirely voluntary basis, the Mallow unit travels the length and breadth of the country each year assisting in numerous search and recovery missions at the request of emergency services and affected families.

However, as they receive no statutory government funding, events such as the raft run are an important vehicle for raising money for travel expenses, ongoing training and the cost of updating and purchasing life-saving equipment.

“Once again the generosity of people shone through and while the number of rafts may have been down on previous runs the event still managed to raise a good amount of money with people donating along the way,” said Willie.

“Our thanks go out to everyone who supported the run in any way, particularly Nick Roche for allowing us to use his land in Killavullen,” he added.

The Hairy Army raft team of Mick Flynn, Abby Buckley, Ciara Fitzpatrick,Leanne Flynn, J.J. Shanahan, Faith Donnelly and Aoibheann Daly were undaunted by the challenge that lay ahead of them. Photos: Eugene Cosgrove.

The Springfort Hall Raft crewof Michella Cronin, Elizabeth McCarthy, Sarah McCarthy, John McCarthy and Rachel Healy were all colour as they got ready to brave the Blackwater.

The Tec 7 Raft with its crew of Tony Finnegan, Nial Sexton, Pat Farrell and Aoife Farrell all of whom hail from from Mallow.

The Rathnadarrahy Rafters team of Eileen Collins, Margaret Quirke, Neilus Cotter, Kate Limehan, Bernard Linehan, Robert Quirke, Con Guiney, Mary Linehan and John Collins.

The Millstreet River Raft team of Luke O’Donoghue, Giuliano Malizia and Omar Daly on the banks of the Blackwater last Sunday.

The Mallow Globetrotters crew of Darren Woodgate, Brian Dinneen, Trevor Woodgate and Pat McCarthy.

The Mallow duo of Kieran and Shaun Edwards were taking no chances with the elements.