Pictured are Brian Moore (Raft Race Compere), Matt McAlpin (Ramore Complex), Caroline Owens (Raft Race Committee member), Alison Conn (Raft Race Committee member), Andy Oliver (Exorna Kitchens and Bedrooms), and Trevor Abernethy (Chairperson of the Portrush Raft Race Committee).
Following the success of the 40th Raft Race Weekend at the end of May the sponsors and organising committee were delighted to meet today to hand over a cheque for the grand total of £25,410 which will go to the RNLI.
All money raised by the ever-popular event is directed by the RNLI for use on the organisation's Portrush operation, thus keeping everything local.
Emphasised a number of times by both Event Compère and former Portrush Coxswain Mark Mitchell, the Portrush Lifeboat is one of the busiest in the UK, and frequently has to rescue seafarers in distress off the coast of Scotland and County Donegal, as well as across the North Coast.
Raft Race Chairperson Trevor Abernethy expressed his enormous gratitude to his fellow committee members and all the volunteers, "without whom none of it would have been possible".
Trevor added:
"We’ve got the event firmly back on the map after having to rest it because of Covid and it was great to have the Ramore, and Exorna Kitchens & Bedrooms as our main sponsors this year. And indeed, the support we received from the business community both locally and from various parts of Northern Ireland has been tremendous”,.
The organisers have also announced that everyone can expect an even bigger programme next year with 2024 marking the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.