Volunteers deserve our respect and praise
THE recent tragic death of a Coast Guard Volunteer in West Clare made me think about those who put others’ lives before their own. Caitriona Lucas left her husband Bernard and two children that day to help someone in need. A volunteer, she did this just to make sure someone else was safe.
Do we really give enough credit to our volunteers?
You always assume when you get into trouble, there will be someone there to help. But these people have the opposite ideal. They assume when someone is in trouble they will be there to help.
Here in Sligo we are lucky to have a number of wonderful volunteer response units.
The one I experienced first- hand was Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team.
Entirely voluntarily staffed, they are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For their efforts they receive no compensation or allowances for their time or personal expense.
Last year myself and my friend Maria decided to fulfil our lifelong ambition of climbing Benbulben, by taking part in the Benbulben Night Climb. This is the group’s annual fundraiser.
From the start everything was very professional. As we began, the rain was falling but the weather forecast had predicted a break in the rain about the time we would be half way up the mountain. So off we went in our rainproof clothing. The team led the way and for those of us at the rear they were always close by.
It made us think as we trudged through the wet fields and it was beginning to become a struggle for us, this was a regular occurrence for them.
This was the type of weather they frequently trained in.
As we got further up the mountain, the rain continued to fall. Surfaces became slippy and for those of us unused to this, it became a bit daunting.
Yet the members stayed with us and continued to give encouragement.
When we finally reached the top, unfortunately the weather forecast proved to be wrong and the rain was only getting worse.
With visibility very poor the decision was reached that we should head back down, before we had reached the plateau at the top. Although it was disappointing it was obvious that safety came first.
The descent back down was very scary as what seemed like streams on the way up now appeared to be rivers on the way back down. Again, the team were close by to lend a helping hand or reassurance.
Wet and soggy we finally reached the bottom where we were treated to tea and biscuits, which were very welcome.
Then we boarded the bus and headed off home to defrost.
The team were very apologetic for some- thing which was totally out of their control and promised to reschedule the event, even though we all knew as their only fundraiser it would eat into any funds raised.
We got a glimpse of what they have to go through and it was hard to say the least. Before the climb, I knew very little about the Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team. But since that night
I would definitely support them in any way I can.
It amazed me that these people give of their time freely to put themselves in hazardous conditions to make sure others are safe.
Last week unfortunately showed what can happen.
But these people deserve so much credit and appreciation for when we are at our worst, they are at their best.