Dinner, dancing and lifejackets for lifesavers in Bundoran

 

The countdown is on to Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat’s biggest annual fundraising night this Friday (27^th January) at the Great Northern Hotel where once again the “Lifeboat Dinner Dance” will take place.

 

Not only will proceeds on the night help to facilitate the ongoing training of the volunteer crew of Bundoran Lifeboat as well as the upkeep of the Atlantic 85 Lifeboat William Henry Liddington and the lifeboat station itself, but this year will also go a long way to purchasing the brand new lifejackets which will be rolled out to 235 RNLI Lifeboat stations, including Bundoran, across the UK and Ireland in 2012.

 

These new lifejackets have come a long way since the cork lifejackets first introduced in 1854 and use the latest material technology and provide a comfortable, secure fit that will help volunteers stay safe whilst saving lives at sea. The new designs are more ergonomic and fitted to let the individual swim unhindered to aid casualties. They are lighter and more buoyant and will support the weight of a casualty being brought to safety by a crewmember in the water. They also have a luminous spray hood with visor, which can be pulled over the crewmembers head if they are in water to protect against sea spry while also making them highly visible.

 

Speaking about the dinner dance, event organiser Cormac McGurren said ‘this is a huge night both in the Bundoran Lifeboat calendar and also in the local community. We’d like to thank all those who have bought tickets and also those local businesses who have generously donated many spot prizes to be raffled on the night. A good attendance at the dinner dance this year will mean that we can continue to train our voluntary crew to the highest standards possible but also make sure they are completely safe in their new lifejackets. Tickets are still available from all crew members and music is provided on the night by Nathan Carter’

Nathan Carter officially launches annual Bundoran Lifeboat Dinner Dance

 

Ireland’s hottest new name in country music Nathan Carter took time out of his busy schedule on New Year’s Eve to visit Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat station and officially launch the annual Lifeboat Dinner Dance at which he will perform.

 

The dinner dance is the main fundraising event in Bundoran RNLI’s calendar and is always well attended by locals and visitors alike. This year it takes place on Friday January 27^th in Bundoran’s Great Northern Hotel – this is also the date for the RNLI’s SOS national fundraising day and events will be held all over Ireland and the UK in order to raise funds for the charity that saves lives at sea.

 

This is Nathan’s first time to play the dinner dance and he admits he is looking forward to it. Speaking as he recorded a special promotional video which will appear on Bundoran Lifeboat Station’s Facebook page in the coming days, Nathan said ‘I’m really looking forward to playing the Bundoran Lifeboat annual dinner dance – the RNLI is such a great charity and they do great work to save lives at sea all year round. I’m excited to see the crowd and no doubt we’ll have a great night’.

 

Event organiser Cormac McGurren said ‘We’re delighted to have Nathan Carter play at this year’s dinner dance. He has developed a huge following in just a few years and will no doubt delight the crowd on the night. Dinner will be served from 8pm on the night and there’ll be spot prizes, dancing and a disco afterwards. Tickets are on sale now from any Lifeboat crew member’.

 

First callout of 2012 for Bundoran Lifeboat

 

On Saturday 14^th January, following a distress call, Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat were tasked to assist a surfer in trouble at Tullan Strand, Bundoran.

 

The surfer got into difficulty around 4pm after his surf board snapped during a session on a busy afternoon at Bundoran’s second beach. His friend immediately called the emergency services and Bundoran Lifeboat Crew were tasked to the scene. Launching within six minutes of the initial page, the crew were on scene within minutes by which time the surfer had made his way to shore safely. The lifeboat was then stood down.

 

Malin Head Coast Guard also tasked the Rescue 118 Helicopter from Sligo to the scene who arrived shortly afterwards. Volunteer crew members from Bundoran Lifeboat who made their way to Tullan Strand on land, spoke with the surfer to evaluate whether further medical attention was required.

 

Bundoran Lifeboat Training Coordinator Shane O’Neill who attended to the surfer said ‘Thankfully, following his surfboard being snapped the surfer was able to make his way back to shore safely. However his friend was absolutely correct to call the emergency services as he believed he was in trouble. Bundoran Lifeboat is on call 24 hours a day seven days a week and are always ready to respond to an emergency’