RNLI Coffee Morning Saturday 8th November 2008

The Annual Coffee Morning in aid of Portrush Lifeboat Station will be held on Saturday 8th November at 10am in Portrush Yacht Club. Author and historian Hugh McGrattan will be in attendance to sign copies of his book 'From Laura to Katie'. Coleraine's Mayor Mr David Barbour will also be attending.
This is a perfect opportunity to buy your Christmas cards and other gifts, with all proceeds going to the station.
The Coffee morning is a real tradition in the RNLI calendar and the Fundraising team would like to welcome everyone to the Yacht Club on Saturday morning.

Night Exercise-Portrush Lifeboats

The two Portrush Lifeboats carried out a night exercise tonight (31st October) . This is necessary in order to ensure crew are fully trained in terms of navigation techniques and operation of essential equioment when called out at night. Coxswains tonight were Perry Walton and Des Austin, with Mark Mitchell in charge of the 'D' Boat. The coxwains are responsible for planning and briefing the crew for the exercise so that all know what their role is on the night. Charts are plotted and equipment is tested while out on exercise so that crew are confident when out on a service. Crew are then debriefed on the lessons learned from the training.
The exercise tested man overboard operations as well as valuable training for crew at night.

Volunteers required!

Portrush Lifeboat Station Fundraising Team are always on the lookout for willing volunteers to help with fundraising activities. These activities range from collecting, organising and helping at events, Raft Race and any other new ideas you or your friends may have. If you think you could spare some time to help raise much needed funds for our two Lifeboats and the crew who man them, please contact judy@portrushlifeboat.com or Rosy on 07816233042.

Fundraising Events in 2009

Radio Ulster will be recording Gardeners Corner in Portrush Town Hall on 13th January 2009. Tickets are £5 and can be bought from any of the Committee members or by contacting Rosemary Bell Chair of the Fundraising Committee on 07816233042. (more details to be confirmed nearer the date)

The Annual Gala Ball is on 17th January 2009. This is a very popular event in the Portrush Fundraising calendar. There will be an auctions, raffle and a tombola as well as dinner and dancing.
A handmade model of the Rathlin Lighthouse will be one of the items up for auction. The model can be viewed at the Lifeboat Station in Kerr Street and is exceptionally intricate.
Tickets for this event can be booked by contacting Rosemary Bell on 07816233042.

From Laura to Katie by Hugh McGrattan

Sales of Hugh McGrattan's book about Portrush Lifeboat Station 'From Laura to Katie' have been going well. This book is a comprehensive history of the station, being right up to date with the grounding of 'The Katie Hannan' on Rathlin Island in January of this year.
Copies of the book can be bought from the Lifeboat shop or ordered by e-mailing judy@portrushlifeboat.com. The book costs £15.
We are planning to have book sales in other outlets soon and will post information on this web page

William Gordon Burr

Portrush Station's New Severn Class Lifeboat 'The William Gordon Burr' has now been officially assigned to Portrush. She was away two weeks ago for routine maintenance and to have Portrush inscribed on her stern. She and the crew can be seen in action usually every other Sunday when the crew meet for exercises and training. Next exercise will be next Sunday 26th October at 11am.

Forthcoming Events

The Fundraising Team of Portrush Lifeboat Station will be holding their Annual Coffee morning on Saturday 8th November from 10am onwards at Portrush Yacht Club. There will be stalls selling lifeboat souvenirs, Christmas Cards and also signed copies if Hugh McGrattan's history of the Station, 'From Laura to Katie' . This is beautiful book and would make an ideal gift for family and friends. This is a popular event in the Stations calendar and is highly recommended.

Other events ccoming up are Gardeners corner and the ever popular Lifeboat Gala Ball organised by the Ballycastle and Portrush Fundraising Branches. Deatils will be published next week with information about venues tickets etc.

If you have any fundraising ideas we'd love to hear them. Contact us at judy@portrushlifeboat.com