Brave volunteers from three Donegal RNLI stations successfully scaled the highest mountain in the county in full lifeboat gear today.
Six crew members (main pic), two each from Bundoran, Lough Swilly and Arranmore units, climbed the 751 metres (2,464 ft) Errigal as part of the charity’s Mayday fundraising campaign.
The idea for the challenge came about after three members of the Bundoran crew walked the Bundoran 10 mile event last year in their full kit, raising over €6,000 for RNLI. This year they wanted to do something different, while involving their fellow lifeboat crew mates from Lough Swilly and Arranmore.
Aisling Cox and Brian Proctor from Arranmore RNLI, Chris Fox and Brian Fowley from Bundoran and Stephen Quigley and Barry Nixon from Lough Swilly have all completed the climb.
Donations to the Errigal challenge can still be made via a special Just Giving page which has been set up – the final sum will be divided equally between the three stations.
Bundoran RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member Chris Fox was one of those who took part in last year’s event.
“While the blisters didn’t settle for a few days, it was still a great experience and a really great fundraising event for Bundoran lifeboat station,” he said.
“We wanted to change it up this year and put the challenge out to our two other stations in Donegal to see if they would help us complete the Mayday Mile on Errigal.”
Stephen Quigley of Lough Swilly RNLI added they jumped at the chance for this challenge with their fellow crew members from around the county.
“There is nowhere more iconic in Donegal than Errigal – walking up it in full kit will be quite the challenge, but it will be a great to come together as one crew with this fundraiser for the three stations here in Donegal – Bundoran, Lough Swilly and Arranmore.”
Arranmore RNLI’s Aisling Cox is hopeful that the climb will help to raise the funds needed to keep all three stations running.
“Mayday is our own call for help, as we rely on the generosity of the public to take part in events like the Mayday Mile and raise the funds that allow us to be there when we’re needed most. But we need to be ready. Training, kit, stations and fuel, these are just some of the things we need to save lives, and that people fundraising can help provide.”
With the three stations in Donegal expected to be busy this summer, the RNLI is asking people to support the Mayday Mile throughout the month of May.
Supporters of our lifeboat crews are being asked to cover a distance in any way they choose and raise vital funds to keep people safe.
Donations to the Errigal challenge can be made via a special Just Giving page which has been set up – https://www.justgiving.com/page/one-crew-climb-errigal – the final sum will be divided equally between the three Donegal stations.
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