The Fethard RNLI fundraising committee members in County Wexford, along with some volunteers, gathered last week to receive a significant amount of funds raised by the Hooked On Swimming Group and two businesses with local links. In total, the group donated €12,985 to the RNLI.
The Hooked On Swimming Group, a dedicated group of local swimmers, took part in their annual 12 Swims of Christmas for the third year in a row, braving the chilly December waters surrounding the Hook Peninsula. The group also organised a coffee morning with delicious home-baked treats and a monster raffle, creating a fantastic community atmosphere and a social outlet during the winter months. All the while, they raised vital funds for their local lifeboat.
This year’s total included a generous donation of €3,500 from the Greenlink project and a separate donation of €2,500 from Scurri, a locally owned delivery management software company.
Sarah Bates, a volunteer fundraising committee representative, accepted the cheques on behalf of the RNLI and expressed her gratitude, saying, “The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard and the government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As we enter into our 200th year of lifesaving, donations like we received today are just as important as ever for us to continue saving lives at sea.”
The generosity of the Hooked On Swimming Group and the local businesses is commendable, and their efforts will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the RNLI's operations.