Cork lifeboat lunch returns to raise vital funds for the RNLI in saving lives at sea
The hugely successful Cork RNLI charity lunch and auction is set to return after an absence of five years. The newly revamped fundraiser will take place in the eighteenth century mansion which is home to the Maryborough Hotel in Douglas on Friday 5 October 2018 and is being held to raise funds for Baltimore, Crosshaven and Kinsale RNLI lifeboat stations.
Cork has a long and proud association with the RNLI which goes back generations. The men and women who volunteer as lifeboat crew come from local communities and give hours of their time and dedication to the charity. From the rescue of the Rambler crew by Baltimore RNLI during the Fastnet Race, to rescues of fishermen, divers, swimmers and boaters; lifeboat crew provide an invaluable service. Last year the Baltimore, Crosshaven and Kinsale RNLI lifeboat stations launched 86 times and brought 116 people to safety. Not every callout is life and death but to the people involved in every callout, the lifeboats are their lifeline in times of trouble on the water.
The lunch and auction will get underway at 12.30pm on Friday 5 October, where guests will be welcomed in the Orangery to the accompaniment of live music from Conor Ocean. This will be followed by a three course lunch in the Sherrard Suite at 1.30pm. Alan Shortt, Master of Ceremonies will provide the entertainment and lead the post-lunch auction and draw. The event will finish at 4pm.
RNLI fundraising committee members Avril O’Brien and David Doherty are looking forward to what promises to be an event to remember. Commenting on the plans, Avril said, “We are delighted to reintroduce the RNLI lunch and auction. It was always a popular occasion and as well as raising vital funds it became a highly anticipated social and networking event.”
“Volunteer lifeboat crew give so much to the RNLI in terms of their time and dedication to the service and they need to be supported with the best in kit and equipment. Every person who buys a ticket to the fundraiser or bids on an auction item will have the knowledge that they are helping save lives at sea.”
Tickets priced at €65 are now on sale and will be sold in tables of 10. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets log onto Eventbrite.co.uk or contact Mary Creedon, Community Fundraising Manager at [email protected]
Pictured are: Kinsale RNLI Temba Jere, Master of Ceremonies Alan Shortt, Kinsale RNLI Dave Humphreys
Photo credit: RNLI/Hetty Walsh
