East Coast Samaritan Volunteers at the Arklow RNLI Maritime Festival
East Coast Samaritan volunteers attended the Arklow RNLI Maritime Festival on July 31st 2022. The festival is traditionally celebrated on the bank holiday weekend at the end of July, but this was the first time that it has been possible to hold it since 2019 and it brought crowds of people back to the lifeboat station on Arklow’s South Quay for a fun-packed afternoon.
The entertainment included the traditional blessing of the fleet, a classic car show by East Coast Classics, a BBQ, live music, a craft fair, a Little Miss and Little Mister competition and a Glamorous Granny competition. The RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was around too, enjoying the day and greeting everyone in the area. He was also delighted to come over to our stand and have his photo taken.
It was also fantastic to see another vital voluntary organisation in attendance: Arklow Community First Responders had a stall at the festival and demonstrated their CPR and cardiac emergency skills throughout the afternoon.
Stormy Stan from RNLI with a volunteer from East Coast Samaritans
Volunteers from East Coast Samaritans set up a stall and gave out pens, leaflets and cards during the day, creating awareness of the work Samaritans do. We were located near the ‘East Coast Classics’ car show - and what an amazing display of cars they put on! Members of the public were delighted to take pens and cards from us, learn where the branch of Samaritans in Arklow is located and occasionally stop for a brief chat. This shows the effectiveness of events like this in raising awareness of the work Samaritans do.
Volunteers from East Coast Samaritans at the RNLI Maritime Festival July 31st 2022.
We aim to be at more festivals and outreach events in the near future, if you see us at an event please do come over.
If you are going through a difficult time and need us anytime day or night, please call our freephone number 116 123, or email [email protected]