Yacht club donation to Portaferry RNLI

Yacht club donation to Portaferry RNLI

14 August 2024

PORTAFERRY RNLI welcomed members of Killyleagh Yacht Club to the boathouse last week to present a cheque for £3,700 to help power the station’s lifesaving work at sea.

The money was raised during the club’s annual charity keel boat weekend in June, and their regatta in July. 

Club commodore, Gary Shields, said it took a lot of people to organise and run the two events and everyone was delighted to have raised so much money.

He said as sailors, there’s no better charity to raise funds for than the RNLI.

“At this time of year we’re out on the water several times a week and whether it’s racing or relaxing, we know things can go wrong very quickly,” said Gary.

Portaferry helm Scott Blackwood showed Yacht Club members around the station and talked them through the kit and equipment they use at sea.

Gary added: “The lifeboat is a remarkable boat. Nothing is left to chance and it’s very reassuring to know it’s there if we need it.”

Portaferry RNLI fundraising chairperson, Patricia Browne, said everyone associated with the charity is very grateful to the committee and members of Killyleagh Yacht Club for choosing to support them, especially in its 200th  anniversary year.

“We took our pop-up shop to the club along with our water safety team and lifeboat crew during the charity races in June,” she said.

“It was a great day with live music and a barbecue. A further £295 was spent at the shop while we were there and we thank commodore Gary Shields and his wife Lisa for the invitation.”

Patricia said the Portaferry crew is always training, learning new skills and preparing for what they may face when at sea. 

She said the money raised by Killyleagh Yacht Club will not only help with training, but also cover costs of the technology and kit needed to keep crew members as safe as possible when they go to the aid of those in danger.

While the Yacht Club visitors had a tour of the station, they were joined by The Molgoggers Maritime Song Group from Cobh in County Cork who entertained everyone by singing sea shanties.