Local RNLI supporter celebrates their 21st birthday with Carrybridge RNLI

When the lifeboat station heard of Kelvin’s upcoming visit, which was the same night as their weekly training takes place, they decided to surprise Kelvin by decorating the lifeboat station with balloons, printing off special portrait pictures, and presenting him with a birthday card and a present as a small token of our appreciation.

On arrival at the lifeboat station with his mum and his sister, Kelvin was overwhelmed by what had been arranged for him. He also had brought along his birthday cake to share with all the team who were at the station that evening.

Kelvin was taken on a full tour of the lifeboat station by Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager, and even tried on some of the crew kit to feel what it’s like to be a volunteer. He also met the crew who were at the station that evening training, but the highlight of the whole evening for Kelvin was the return of Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards which had been afloat on its weekly training exercise. Once the lifeboat was recovered Kelvin supervised it being refuelled, washed down and left ready for service again.

Following this the station held a barbeque to mark Kelvin’s birthday celebrations, however the best was yet to happen for Kelvin, when the lifeboat crew were tasked on a callout to assist a vessel which had lost engine power. With Kelvin watching on, the crew were briefed, got kitted up, the lifeboat was fully prepared, and then launched with blue lights flashing and disappeared into the darkness.

This was the icing on the cake for Kelvin’s birthday celebrations, and he was so overjoyed with all that took place that evening.

Speaking following the visit, Stephen Scott, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge RNLI commented “We were delighted to welcome Kelvin and his family to our station to celebrate his birthday. As a charity we are completely reliant on the unwavering support of our community as without their generous donations we would be unable to continue to offer our lifesaving service. We would like to again wish Kelvin a very Happy 21st Birthday.”

Ends

Notes to editors

· Carrybridge Lifeboat Station was started in 2002 on Upper Lough Erne. It currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Chris Cathcart, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07595895908, or email [email protected] or Stephen Scott, Carrybridge RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786228968, or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 00353 87 648 3547 or email  [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 00353 87 1254 124 or [email protected] or Treasa Ni Bhraonain, RNLI Communications Placement on 00353 874764436 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland and has lifeguard beaches along the Causeway Coast and in county Down which it operates seasonally. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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