The volunteer Arranmore RNLI has been chosen as the charity of choice for this year’s ‘Float for Hope’ flotilla which takes place on Sunday week.
Float for Hope was founded in 2021 by Mullaghdubh man John Joe McBride and his colleagues to raise awareness of mental health. The annual flotilla of boats starts at Burtonport Harbour, continues to the lighthouse at Arranmore, then onwards to the surrounding islands and ending at Burtonport.
The first event raised €30,000 for mental health awareness with 100 boats in the flotilla. Last year, the charity raised over €13,000 for Dungloe Community Hospital with over 50 boats taking part.
This year the organisers are kindly donating the proceeds to Arranmore RNLI.
The first lifeboat came to the island in 1883 under the auspices of the RNLI and the station will celebrate 140 years of saving lives in November of this year. The lifeboat was funded with a donation of £420 from Reverend Richard Vandelour, Merrion Square, Dublin, after whom the lifeboat was named. An open boat powered by oars and sails, it had a speed of approximately five knots.
“With little resources apart from their commitment to saving the lives of their fellow seafarers, the team owes the early volunteer crews a debt of gratitude,” an RNLI spokesperson said.
“And the common theme between then and now is the volunteer ethos and the family motto of the RNLI’s founder Sir William Hillary, ‘with courage, nothing is impossible’.”
Contrast that to today’s all-weather Severn class lifeboat with speeds of 25 knots and a range of 250 miles which came on service to Arranmore in the year 2000. It is equipped with the most up to date technology and the crew are trained in all aspects of lifesaving. The lifeboat can reach those in peril on the sea quickly and provide casualty care to help save lives. With the improvement in lifeboats and modern equipment, however, there also comes increased costs. These costs are funded by the generosity of people donating to the various events organised by the dedicated fundraisers and legacies left to the RNLI.
Chief organiser of the Float for Hope boat run, on Sunday 30 July, is John Joe McBride, himself a former fisherman.
“We came up with the idea of the flotilla three years ago to raise awareness of mental health, it seemed a natural thing to do as we live by the seaside,” he explained.
“This year we are still committed to raising awareness of mental health and feel it is also important to make people aware of water safety. At this time of year there are a lot more people taking to the water on rivers, lakes and the sea for pleasure and it is important to promote water safety. Having been a fisherman myself, I am fully appreciative of the importance of the RNLI and feel that this year’s Float for Hope will provide valuable funds to help the service.”
Tony Ward, Arranmore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “We are really grateful to John Joe and his committee for donating the proceeds of the boat run to Arranmore RNLI. The public plays a huge part in providing funds to help us continue to save lives.”
Further information on the Float for Hope flotilla on Sunday 30 July can be had on their Facebook page.
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