Portrush RNLI Station holds SOS day Swim

SOS Day is the annual RNLI Crew fundraising day and stations all over the country host innovative and novel ways of fundraising incorporating the SOS initials.

Supporters of Portrush Lifeboat Station jumped into the sea at Portrush Harbour and swam round the All Weather Lifeboat ‘The William Gordon Burr’. The weather was bitterly cold but didn’t deter the crowd that turned up to do their bit.

Portrush Lifeboat Coxswain Des Austin explained: ‘This is a fun event that involves our crew, fundraisers, and a great local crowd who turn out irrespective of the weather to support the volunteer lifeboat crew.

“The crew themselves take part and their colleagues and on standby to give them a friendly push and also to haul them in at the end of the swim.”

The man with the megaphone for the event was Robin Cardwell Lifeboat Operations Manager. All swimmers were counted out and counted back in again.

The crew would like to thank Coleraine Council for their use of Waterworld for everyone to get a hot shower after their swim, as well as the RNLI Lifeguards and The local Coastguard team, who provided safety cover for the evnt.

After the event everyone was treated to homemade soup and sandwiches in Portrush Yacht Club, and a special SOS Cake made by crewmember Claudia McAlpin.