World Irish dancer puts on her wellies for RNLI
THE 2017 World Irish Dancing Championships came to a close in Dublin on Easter Sunday, but not before a budding dance star from Mayo swapped her pumps and hard shoes for the RNLI’s yellow wellies to show her support for Mayday, the charity’s annual national fundraising campaign which is calling out for people to ‘Do your bit, fund our kit’.
Alannah Marsh from the Sylvan Kelly School Mayo was among the talented troupe of Irish dancers who were competing in the 47th World Irish Dancing Championships organised by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha. She showed off her signature moves in bright yellow wellies in Dublin’s city centre to encourage the public to support Mayday, which is raising funds for crucial RNLI kit for the charity’s brave volunteer lifeboat crews.
Worn by generations of crews to grip the deck in slippery conditions, the iconic yellow wellies keep crew members safe and steady on stormy seas. Just like Irish dancing shoes, RNLI-issue sea boots have reinforced toecaps to protect the crews’ feet.
Mayday distress calls can come in any time, day or night, 365 days a year, with volunteer crew members from 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland on standby to drop everything in an instant to save lives at sea.
Said ony Hiney, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager: ‘Our crews rely on lifesaving kit, like their yellow wellies, lifejackets and helmets, when they go out in all weathers to save lives at sea. From sponsored bike rides and welly walks, to running a bake sale, there are all sorts of ways to raise money for the RNLI this Mayday.
“Visit www.RNLI.org/Mayday to download a fundraising pack and see how you can do your bit to fund our kit.”
Money raised through Mayday fundraising events will help kit out RNLI lifeboat crews so they’re ready to face the harshest conditions at sea, with it costing €2,168 to provide an all-weather lifeboat crew member with all of the vital kit they need during a rescue.
Mayday fundraising events are taking place right across Ireland, many with a yellow welly theme.
Across the west of Ireland, badges will be on sale at various shopping centres and supermarkets over two weekends – April 29-30 and May 5-6. Mayday badges will also be on sale in Aldi stores on Mayday, Monday, May 1.
To find a Mayday event near you, or to download a fundraising pack, visit www.RNLI.org/Mayday.