Lough Derg RNLI fundraising branch calls on new volunteers to join lifesaving crew

 THE RNLI are looking for new fundraising volunteers to join its lifesaving crew at Lough Derg. 

Volunteers are at the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and without them, the organisation couldn’t continue to save lives at sea or on inland waters.

But it’s not all about volunteering on lifeboats or at a station, there are many other ways people can give a little or a lot of their time to support the RNLI and make their own lifesaving difference.

Laura Clarke and her husband Caleb have been involved with Lough Derg RNLI for 11 years. Laura is the souvenir secretary on the fundraising branch while Caleb is the treasurer for both the branch and the lifeboat station.

As well as living beside the lake, Laura’s love and admiration for the RNLI was inspired by her late father as she was growing up.

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‘My Dad was a great supporter of the RNLI and used to spend his summers in Portrush and Portstewart even though he lived in Clara in Offaly.

"He had great memories of his time there and he later took up fishing and always had a great respect for the RNLI and I think that is where my passion or grá came from.

"When he passed away, part of the donations in lieu went to Portrush RNLI and when their new lifeboat arrived, we were invited to go along and see it. When Caleb and I married in 2010, rather than doing wedding favours, we made a donation towards Lough Derg RNLI in memory of my father.’

Laura takes great satisfaction from the volunteering that she does: "It is very fulfilling to give back. I was a late learner as a swimmer, and that tinges it even more.

"I think it is a combination of not being able to swim at an early age and living overlooking Youghal Bay on Lough Derg, that I have a great appreciation of how vital and important it is that we have a service that keeps people safe."

And Laura is keen to see others get involved: "There really is something for everybody no matter how big or small or how much or little time you can give.  You can join the committee or fill in a slot on campaigns such as Mayday, you don’t have to volunteer all year round."