Ballycotton RNLI volunteer crew member Alan Cott taking a break during filming for RTE's ‘Nationwide'. Alan lost his brother Glynn when the Maggie B sank and is honouring the memory of his brother in the work he does to save lives at sea.

RNLI facing ‘Perfect Storm’

The RNLI has launched a Perfect Storm campaign as it confirmed that fundraising has dropped in the past 12 months. 

The search and rescue charity is seeking support from the public to ensure it can continue to save lives at sea.

It comes as two lifeboat stations in Cork were on the small screen last night.

Volunteer lifeboat crews from Crosshaven and Ballycotton RNLI told their own stories on ‘Nationwide’ on RTÉ 1, of how they got involved with the charity and the two stations carried out a joint exercise to recover an unconscious casualty from the water.

Speaking about the programme and the launch of the Perfect Storm Appeal by the RNLI, Brian O’Driscoll, Area Lifesaving Manager, said: “Our lifeboat crews are what is best in the RNLI. These men and women give up their time to train and launch lifeboats in all weathers and to all types of situations.

“Our thanks to the ‘Nationwide’ team for visiting two of our Cork lifeboat stations and speaking to our volunteer lifeboat crew about why they do it and what they get out of it. Many people don’t realise that the RNLI is a charity and we depend on the generosity of the public to continue with our work saving lives at sea.”

To support the RNLI’s Perfect Storm appeal this Christmas visit RNLI.org/ThePerfectStorm.