Lifeboat crew on the ball

Larne RNLI Crew members, Catherine Callaghan and Samantha Agnew accept thye 50 ticket,s the Station won in a Competition organised by Ulster Rugby and Bank of Ireland, pictured presenting them are, Ulster player, Luke Marshall and Bank of Ireland Marketing Manager, Sandra Davidson INLT 48-205-AM

The RNLU volunteers won the Bank of Ireland’s Big Ticket Giveaway for the match on November 21 in a competition to find a group that makes a positive difference to its community.

The tickets were presented to the lifeboat crew on November 20 by Ulster centre Luke Marshall, and the group went on to see Ulster defeat the Ospreys.

Speaking before the match, lifeboat spokeswoman Fiona Kirkpatrick commented: “It means a lot to Larne Lifeboat to win. All our volunteers from lifeboat crew to shore crew, fundraisers to education team, dedicate a lot of time to make a positive impact in our local area and it is a great opportunity to reward them for all they do. Everyone is ecstatic and are really looking forward to ‘Standing Up For The Ulster Men.’”

Fiona says that the main motivation for entering the competition was to thank the families of lifeboat crew members. She revealed: “The families of all crew are very supportive of parents, brothers and sisters getting up and going as soon as the pager goes off. I think it is often easier being on a ‘shout’ as you are busy and focussed on helping those in distress but it’s harder for our families waiting at home, wondering how it’s going and if we will come home safely. It is a brilliant opportunity to thank all those who support the station and celebrate what Larne Lifeboat has achieved over the last 20 years.”