FISH SUPPER A TREAT FOR RNLI
THE RNLI Fish Supper is an annual charity and social event in autumn which supports lifesaving work.
The volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24hour rescue service in Ireland and the UK and seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches. Meanwhile, the RNLI’s Flood Rescue Team help those affected by flooding.
RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,200 lives since 1824, but they’re more than a rescue service. They influence, supervise and educate people too. Community Safety Teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going out to sea or to the coast. And there are international teams work with like-minded organisations to help tackle drowning in communities at risk all around the world.
Here, in Ireland, the RNLI has 46 lifeboat stations based around the country, 1,500 volunteer crew members as well as hundreds of voluntary fundraisers. Last year in Ireland the lifeboats launched 995 times bringing 1351 people to safety. The RNLI rely on public donations to stay operational. At this time of year seas are rougher and the weather is stormier so it’s good to know that the RNLI are there if needed.
The Macroom branch of the RNLI fundraising team formed in April of this year. They are a relatively small group but, so far, with the support of the businesses and community in the town, they have managed to raise a considerable amount of money for the RNLI.
The Fish Supper campaign was their biggest fundraising event of the year and members were delighted that, once again, they had the support of the Macroom people.
Ten businesses and one school participated. They are still collecting money and so don’t have a final total, as yet, but so far, they have raised just over €750 for the RNLI from this campaign alone. The response from everyone has been amazing and overwhelming.
Granvilles Bar & Grill, along with The Castle Hotel, donated money from fish dishes sold on certain days of the event as well as having collection buckets on display for public donations.
Muinefliuch National School did a colouring challenge and each child involved made a donation. These will be judged soon to find the best colouring sheet which will be awarded a prize.
The RNLI will be giving the school an education talk very soon and the money will be presented to then, along with the colouring challenge prize giving.
Other businesses that participated by having collection buckets or making a personal donation include: Clancy’s Fish, Teddy’s Fish, Fitzi’s Takeaway, Val’s Takeaway, New 57 Café, O’leary’s Supervalu, Ann & Martin Hurley Takeaway.