‘We are humbled by Louise’s gesture’ - €49,000 raised for local emergency services
“The RNLI relies on the generosity of public donations to power its lifesaving work at sea and the communities we serve truly supported this wonderful campaign in a most generous manner”
Derry woman Louise James and her daughter, Rioghnach, have donated an incredible €45,000 to the Lough Swilly RNLI and a further €1,000 each to four other emergency services, who were all on the scene the tragic night five of her family members lost their lives.
The funds were raised from two recent events, set up to mark the 10th anniversary of the Buncrana Pier Tragedy, in which Louise’s partner, Sean McGrotty (49), their sons Mark (12) and Evan (8), her mother Ruth Daniels (57), and her sister Jodie (14) passed away.
Louise, Rioghnach and Deirdre McDermott from the ‘Remember Me’ 10th anniversary fundraising committee made the donations to the RNLI and representatives from Greencastle Coast Guard, Marine Rescue Sub-Centre Malin Head, An Garda Síochána – on behalf of Little Blue Heroes – and Buncrana Fire Service at Lough Swilly Lifeboat Station on Monday evening.
Buncrana Fire Service kindly re-donated their funds to Lough Swilly RNLI, in acknowledgement of the co-operation and joint services that have been delivered by both services.
The money was raised via two hugely well-supported events, the first of which was a remembrance walk in March, during which hundreds of people, many donned in red and white clothes, made their way from Buncrana Shore Front to Ned’s Point.
Louise also held a Gala Ball at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry, and both events were generously sponsored and supported by the local public and businesses.
Speaking on Monday evening, Louise thanked everyone who supported the fundraisers and said she was delighted with the amount of money raised.
“I’d like to personally thank everyone who donated and supported this and who helped in any way. Without you, we never would have been able to achieve this.”
Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Joe Joyce paid tribute to Louise and Rioghnach for their generosity and support.
“We are humbled by Louise’s gesture of thinking of us for this donation and assisting Lough Swilly RNLI in providing a life-saving service on Lough Swilly, as well as in our programme of water safety advice and its delivery to the wider community.”
John McCarter, Lough Swilly RNLI Chairman also paid tribute.
“It is overwhelming for Lough Swilly Lifeboat Station to be the recipient of the substantial €45,000 donation from the Remember Me campaign.”
“As a charity, the RNLI relies on the generosity of public donations to power its lifesaving work at sea and the communities we serve truly supported this wonderful campaign in a most generous manner.”
John noted how Louise has previously raised funds for the station and said these funds are vital to the lifesaving work of the Lough Swilly RNLI.
Also on the night, donations of €1,000 each were presented to Garda Charlene Callaghan and Garda Joe McElhinney, towards an Garda Síochána Little Blue Heroes Foundation; Charlie Cavanagh, Officer in Charge, Greencastle Coast Guard, with Andrew McKeever, Adele Doherty and Cathal McGuinness, Greencastle Coastguard; Paul Gill, Divisional Controller Marine Rescue Sub-Centre Malin Head and Buncrana Fire Station’s Don Magee, Station Officer, with DJ Doherty and Philip Doherty.
All of the services joined with Louise and Rioghnach on the night to express their gratitude.