Tipperary father moved as son receives very special presentation
Darragh comes to school dressed as his hero father
Darragh Smyth, accompanied by his mother Clodagh, his brother Cathal and family friend Niamh Leanne made a visit to Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station for a special presentation in recognition of his support for the RNLI.
Earlier this year, Darragh and his fellow pupils at Gaelscoil Aonach in Nenagh were invited by their teachers to come to school dressed as their heroes and give a short presentation about their choice.
For Darragh, there was only one person he wanted to celebrate; his father Steve, a volunteer helm with Lough Derg RNLI. Darragh spoke at his school about why his dad is his hero and was interviewed by TG4 about his choice.
In the presence of several Lough Derg RNLI volunteers at the station, Darragh and his family received a warm welcome from Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Lough Derg RNLI.
Speaking to Darragh, Christine said, “it is an especially wonderful thing that your father is your hero. On behalf of all the volunteers here, thank you and your family for your support, which I’m certain makes Steve’s roles at the station easier to carry out”.
Eleanor Hooker, Lifeboat Press Officer at Lough Derg RNLI, presented Darragh with a framed RNLI certificate and an RNLI200 teddy bear.
Eleanor thanked Darragh for his support and spoke about the unique connection he has with the lifeboat station.
“Our volunteers form part of the RNLI family, and Darragh is very lucky to have two family members here; Steve, his dad and his uncle Owen, who is also a helm with Lough Derg RNLI”.
She said they would hold a place for Darragh for when he was old enough to join the crew.
Eleanor thanked Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Communications Lead for Ireland; Breffni Gorman, Volunteering Adviser, and Alicia James, Volunteer Recognition Adviser, for their efforts in helping Lough Derg RNLI get this wonderful recognition for Darragh.
Steve said he was delighted and moved by his son’s choice and said he was “so proud of him”.
On behalf of his family, he thanked everyone present, saying “you’re truly an amazing crew; this is an evening Darragh won’t ever forget”.
Volunteers also extended their heartiest congratulations to Steve, who recently qualified as a volunteer Lifeboat Trainer Assessor with the RNLI.