The Sunday Life recently highlighted the decision by Downtown Radio Star Neil McClelland to support Lagan Search & Rescue.
Lagan S&R is an independent Lifeboat covering the seaward River Lagan and Belfast Lough; It relies on the generosity and support of the community. They said, "To have Neal come onboard to help us to raise vital funds and promote water safety within the community is fantastic". The River Lagan flows through the City of Belfast to Belfast Lough and its environs have in the last few years been the site of much regeneration of the city.
LS&R's new fundraising campaign is to Build a Boathouse. The team acquired a new lifeboat a year ago with a grant from the Department for Transport. This new craft has now been in operation for almost a year and is a superb asset for city of Belfast and surrounding areas. It is capable of 42 knots and equipped with twin 150 HP outboards, the latest Search and Rescue technology including Thermal Imaging, Radar, Wireless Communications and Sonar.
Lagan Search and Rescue boats on the pontoon in Belfast Harbour Marina
In order to maximise the lifespan of this Lifeboat and the efficiency of rescues, they need to raise enough money to build a permanent floating boathouse in Belfast Harbour Marina.
Currently, the Lifeboats are in Belfast Harbour Marina but LS&R says they desperately need a Floating Boathouse in the same location, essentially a boathouse over the pontoon, so they are looking to raise enough money to do this. This facility would allow the team to keep all the kit, such as drysuits, helmets, water pumps etc. alongside the boat thus speeding up the response times significantly and protecting the boats from the elements when not in use.
For more information on this campaign please visit the dedicated website here
