Splash out and help Arranmore Lifeboat's fundraising efforts this Sunday

Arranmore Lifeboat RNLI president, Majella O’Donnell has appealed to everyone who enjoys the coastline or works along it to come along to Burtonport this Sunday and support a very worthwhile cause.

The third Annual Float for Hope Boat Run from Burtonpot Pier to Arranmore and surrounding Islands will take place this coming Sunday, July 30 and all cash raised will help the Arranmore Lifeboat and the RNLI services.

West of Donegal native John Joe McBride, the founder of Gort na Sade Seals and Float For Hope has organised this year's event based again around Water Safety Awareness and also to raise funds for the Arranmore Lifeboat and RNLI.

The launching of boats will start at 9am and all vessels taking part in the flotilla are requested to be in the water by 11.30am   For safety reasons all boats joining the Float for Hope are asked to register

This will take place between 11.30 am – 12.30pm beside the stage in Burtonport Harbour.

This year's president of the Arranmore Lifeboat RNLI, Majella O’Donnell has been working hard behind the scenes to help with this year's Float for Hope.

“Our team of volunteers at Arranmore Lifeboat is the lifeblood of all our communities that live along the coastline in County Donegal, especially the west coast and islands. Our fundraising efforts are essential to keep our lifeboat and its team fully active at all times.

"It is an all-weather lifeboat and is available for emergencies all year round. We are so lucky to have this vessel so close to us here, we really are. The RNLI really needs volunteers and welcomes any help at any time. The lifeboat is a very, very important aspect of all our lives. We all go swimming, boating on kayaks or whatever and this lifesaving organisation really, really needs your help. It’s a huge boat to have to look after and our crew are doing this voluntarily, with only two full-time staff.

Arranmore lifeboat has saved many lives over the years. We are so delighted to be the recipient of this year's Float for Hope fundraiser and every single cent will be appreciated," she said. 

Entertainment on the pier will start setting up from 10am. DJ Mc (Malachy McLaughlin) Float For Hope T - shirts will be on sale from 11.30am. A limited number of Float For Hope small wooden boats will be on sale, and if you have yours from the previous two years please bring them along. These boats will set sail at 9pm in memory of all those who lost their lives at sea.

Before the flotilla sets sail, the Burtonport Ukulele Group will play a few tunes followed by a Blessing of The Boats at Burtonport Pier at 1.30pm. The Blessing of the Boats is a time-honoured tradition that goes back many centuries and will be a fitting tribute on the day. A full health and safety protocol will be in place and everyone attending must abide by the coast guard rules throughout the day.

The Arranmore Blue Ferry will travel with the flotilla to the Aranmore lighthouse, It is advised to contact the ferry to prebook your place. 

Special guests Majella O’Donnell and Pat the Cope Gallagher along with Paddy Connaghan will formally launch the 2023 Float for Hope at 12.30pm.

The flotilla will leave Burtonport Pier at 1.30pm, heading first to Arranmore Light House. It will then leave Arranmore Light House heading to the Stags, continuing from there to Inishsirrer, sailing along the mainland inside Inishmeane, and heading into Bunbeg Harbour.

It will then leave Bunbeg at 3.45pm, continuing along the mainland to Carrickfinn Beach, Mullaghderg Beach, Kincasslagh, Cruit Island passing through Owey Sound and heading back to Burtonport Pier at 6pm.

Smaller craft and ferries will return from Arranmore Lighthouse and stop off at Arranmore Island.   

Island tours, local restaurants and bars will be open for business.

All updates will be posted on the Float for Hope Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FloatForHopeBoatRun

Please help by donating anything you can, no matter how small to support Arranmore Lifeboat and the RNLI.

The donate link is: https://www.justgiving.com/page/floatforhope

If anyone has a boat and would like to join in on the day, they are more than welcome. It is expected that there will be more than 30 boats joining in on the day. A donation per boat entry is appreciated, all funds raised will go to Aranmore Lifeboat.