With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the RNLI is putting out its own Mayday call ahead of MayDay (tomorrow, Monday 1 May) as it prepares to face another busy summer.
Usually it is the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews thatanswers mayday calls – it’s the most serious call for help. But this May, they need your help. The charity is calling on the public to join the RNLI Mayday Mile to help raise vital funds to power its lifesaving work and help keep people safe this summer.
Last year, lifeboats located at the RNLI’s 46 stations across the island of Ireland, launched 1,061 times, with its crews carrying out hundreds of rescues. Some 265 of those launches were carried out by lifeboats at 10 of the RNLI’s stations in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, last summer RNLI lifeguards in Northern Ireland saved 13 lives, aided over 450 people and responded to over 300 incidents. The service runs along the Causeway Coast and in county Down.
It’s so easy to take part in the Mayday Mile and support the RNLI’s lifesavers. Simply complete your challenge each day, every day this May, wherever and however you like – walk, jog, hop or skip!
Funds raised through the Mayday Mile will help RNLIlifesavers have everything they need to keep families safe this summer. Warmer weather draws more people to the water, and RNLI lifeboat crews will drop whatever they’re doing when a call for help comes in.
Speaking ahead of the fundraiser which starts tomorrow, Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region in Ireland says:
"Summer is our busiest time of year with thousands of people at risk of getting into danger by the water. Ordinary people just enjoying days out with family or friends. 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, fuel, these are just some of the things we need to save lives, and that your fundraising can help provide."
Paddy McLaughlin, one of the Coxswains at Red BayRNLI added:
"We are indebted to everyone taking on this fundraising challenge in May because we know it will make a difference. Whether you decide to walk, run, skip or swim, your fundraising efforts will ensure volunteer lifeboat crews like ours have all we need to launch our lifeboats to the rescue and be ready when the call comes in to help someone in need."
The RNLI’s Mayday fundraiser begins tomorrow,Monday 1 May and will run for the whole month.
Sign up for the Mayday Mile now and find out more at rnli.org/SupportMayday