RNLI Lap the Lake charity cycle an immense success with €17,500 raised
Blessed with good weather, the third Lap the Lake charity cycle on Saturday last, 11 May, was an immense success, raising €17,500 for Lough Derg RNLI
Over 250 cyclists took part in the event; some chose to complete the 120km route while others opted for the 65km course. The longer route took participants on a full circuit of Lough Derg, giving entrants the chance to cycle through three counties, Tipperary, Clare and Galway. The other route took cyclists to just beyond Killaloe, to a turnaround point at Killaloe Sailing Club. Both routes gave participants the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty of the lake and the River Shannon. The event started and finished at Lough Derg Yacht Club where the RNLI lifeboat the Jean Spier is based.
Lough Derg RNLI volunteers, helm Eleanor Hooker and crew members Chris Parker, Joe O'Donoghue and Tom Hayes brought the lifeboat Jean Spier to harbours around the lake to meet cyclists and volunteers at refreshment stations. They were on hand to answer questions about the RNLI, the charity’s lifesaving work and of course the lifeboat.
Laura Clarke, chair of the ‘Lap the Lake’ event committee, thanked her cycling committee for their commitment and dedicated hard work - Ena Butler; Catriona McNally, Mike Molampy, Joe Hughes and Jonathan Horgan, and Anne Atkinson and Niamh McCutcheon from Lough Derg RNLI’s fundraising committee.
‘It is the generous support of our main sponsors Abbey Machinery and Prestige Windows that ensured the success of Lap the Lake 2024’, she said. ‘For the third year running, Lough Derg Yacht provided their beautiful premises for the entire event’.
Laura acknowledged the bike marshals for their standout care of the participants, Richie Burke, The Bike Doctor who donated his time and services for the day, Cillian O’Mara for making Killaloe Sailing Club and their premises available as the turnaround point and refreshment station along the route, Colin Beck at InisCealtra Sailing Club, and Brian Kirwan for the use of their premises at Le Boat for a stopover at Portumna.
She thanked the Order of Malta; North Tipperary Wheelers; Tony’s TippTop Shop in Ballycommon; Arrabawn; Quigley’s Bakery in Nenagh; Christy Manning for the refreshments on the route stops; Casa Street Kitchen for providing food at Lough Derg Yacht Club; Noreen O’ Sullivan for providing refreshments in Lough Derg Yacht Club. Laura thanked all the RNLI volunteers including: James Corballis who provided the sound system for entertainment for the participants and their families on their return to Dromineer, and Aoife Kennedy, Lifeboat Administration Officer and Launching Authority who acted as liaison.
Participants on the cycle were delighted to see the array of RNLI gifts and toys available to buy at the mobile shop run by Beverly Callender.
Christine O’Malley, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Lap the lake was a fantastic day, meticulously organised by Laura and her fundraising team and we want to thank them sincerely for their efforts. Thanks too to our own station volunteers who contributed to the event’s success, helping out in various ways. Hundreds of cyclists got to enjoy the beauty of Lough Derg while raising essential funds for Lough Derg RNLI and we are indebted to them all for it is thanks to them that so much was raised, those funds will now go towards powering our lifesaving work on the lake.’
Ends
Notes to editors
More photographs of Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat 'Jean Spier' and Lap The Lake 2024 can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/RNLILoughDerg/
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Eleanor Hooker, Lough Derg RNLI volunteer helm and Lifeboat Press Officer on 0877535207 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [email protected]
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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 46 lifeboat stations in the Irish region. The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
RNLI at 200
In 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.