Boats of all sorts take part in the Bandon River Raft Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
The sixth Bandon River Raft Run, Ireland's biggest single fund-raising day for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) takes place in County Cork. The event sees almost 200 rafts, canoes and paddlers sailing from the weir, Bandon to the finishing point in Innishannon.
Minister of State at the Department of the Marine Gerry O'Sullivan explains the majority of RNLI callouts in 1992 were for pleasure craft. He insists,
There must be an emphasis on the safety aspect of pleasure craft.
Member of the Friends of the Lifeboats committee Brian Merrick says when the Bandon River Raft Run first started in 1988, the idea was to raise a few pounds for the RNLI. In 1992 they even raised £9,150 from the day's events and the current target is £15,000.
By the signs of things so far and the crowd that’s here we might even surpass that.
Friends of the Lifeboats committee member Bill Sheane commends the work done by the RNLI,
They’re an example to the Good Samaritan himself.
Other fundraising events on the day include a demonstration by the Shannon Search and Rescue Helicopter Service, a display of vintage fire engines, water jets and cannon and a band recital.
The roads were jammed and the fundraising target was reached.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 February 1993. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
