Soldier's Mum raises €6,000 for Bundoran RNLI

A fundraising charity wax held in memory of a soldier who drowned in Bundoran has raised €6,000 for the local RNLI.

Corporal Gavin Carey got into difficulties while surfing with fellow soldiers at Tullan Strand in August. They were on a break from training at Finner Camp for overseas deployment.

The late Corporal Gavin Carey

The remains of the 27-year-old father of one were recovered after five days of extensive sea and coastal searches.

His mother, Patricia Peyton, organised a Charity Wax at Danny Byrne's Pub in his native Mullingar to raise funds for Bundoran RNLI. She told Midlands 103 radio, "Only for them, I wouldn't have found my son to bring him back from Bundoran.”

Presenting the cheque for €6000 to the volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat at the event in Mullingar on Friday night L-R Tony McGowan, Shane Smyth, Patricia Peyton and Dessie Daly

Bundoran RNLI PRO Shane Smyth told the Donegal Democrat, "We are humbled by the generosity of the Carey family following their recent tragedy which is still very much in everyone’s minds.

"€6,000 is an incredible sum to be raised in just one night but, from being there on the night, it was obvious to see how well loved and respected Corporal Carey was.”

The money will be used to help maintain the lifeboat station, buy fuel and train crews to continue to save lives at sea, Mr Smyth stated.

Read more in Thursday's Donegal Democrat.