RNLI volunteers have taken to the pitch at Croke Park to highlight the importance of water safety.
Representatives from the charity, dressed in lifeboat gear, attended the All-Ireland senior football championship semi-final in Dublin on Saturday to promote the charity’s water safety partnership with the GAA.
The charity used the opportunity to highlight its ‘float to live’ campaign before both the Tailteann Cup Final between Down and Laois and the All-Ireland semi-final between Armagh and Kerry.
Launched in May of this year, the campaign is designed to advise the public on how to prevent drowning if they find themselves in trouble at sea.
Among the representatives at Croke Park were RNLI trustee Paddy McClaughlin, a coxswain who helped set up the RNLI and GAA water partnership, Patrick O’Hagan, a crew member, both stationed at Red Bay, Cushendall and Olivia Espie, a volunteer from Ballymena.
The partnership aims to raise awareness of drowning prevention and teaches local communities about the importance of water safety.
RNLI lifeboat crews have visited numerous GAA clubs, delivering talks to all age groups.
Mr McClaughlin said: ‘’It was particularly special for the RNLI to be in Croke Park this year as the charity marks its 200th anniversary.
“For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable.”
Mr Claughlin added: “This partnership highlights the shared values between ourselves in the RNLI and the GAA, notably volunteerism and the importance of communities.
“It is always a privilege for volunteers like ours to be invited to Croke Park on such a big day in the GAA’s championship calendar and have the opportunity to promote a key drowning prevention message, Float To Live.”
