Dancers swop dance shoes for RNLI yellow wellies

GIVING IT WELLY Swopping her pumps for RNLI yellow wellies was Irish dancer Alannah Marsh from Sylvan Kelly School of Irish Dancing.

Anton McNulty

A MAYO Irish Dancer swopped her dancing shoes for the RNLI’s yellow wellies to show her support for the organisation’s annual national fundraising campaign.
Alannah Marsh from the Sylvan Kelly School of Irish Dancing in Ballina was among the talented troupe of Irish dancers who were competing in the 47th World Irish Dancing Championships organised by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha over the Easter.
Instead of donning the traditional hard dancing shoes, Alannah and a number of the other competitors showed off their signature moves in the iconic bright yellow RNLI wellies close to Dublin’s Ha-penny Bridge.
The event was part of the promotional campaign for Mayday, the RNLI’s annual national fundraising campaign which is calling out for people to ‘Do your bit, fund our kit’.Just like Irish dancing shoes, RNLI-issued sea boots have reinforced toecaps to protect the crews’ feet, and have been worn by generations of crews to grip the deck in slippery conditions.
Money raised through Mayday fundraising events will help kit out RNLI lifeboat crews so they’re ready to face the harshest conditions at sea. The RNLI is a charity which does not receive any State funding and it costs €2,168 to provide an all-weather lifeboat crew member with all of the vital kit they need during a rescue.

Fundraising events
Mayday fundraising events are taking place right across Ireland, many with a yellow welly theme and Tony Hiney, the RNLI Community Fundraising Manager said having the right kit was vital for their crews.
“Our crews rely on lifesaving kit, like their yellow wellies, lifejackets and helmets, when they go out in all weathers to save lives at sea. From sponsored bike rides and welly walks, to running a bake sale, there are all sorts of ways to raise money for the RNLI this Mayday,” he said.
He added that more information can be found on the RNLI website, www.RNLI.org/Mayday where a fundraising pack can be downloaded and how you can do your bit for the charity.
There are two all-weather lifeboat stations in Mayo - Achill and Ballyglass - and in the last month, both lifeboat crews were involved in long and extensive searches for the missing crew of Rescue 116 in Blacksod Bay.
Across the west of Ireland, badges will be on sale at various shopping centres and supermarkets over two weekends from April 29 to 30 and May 5 to 6. Mayday badges will also be on sale in Aldi stores on Mayday, Monday, May 1.