West Cork Fundraiser  receives Award from Sir Richard Branson

Mrs Sheila O’Driscoll, fundraising secretary for Castletownbere Lifeboat Station, was honoured by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and received the Gold Badge from Sir Richard Branson, at the charity’s Annual Presentation of Awards at the Barbican Centre in London on Thursday last, 16th May. According to Ms Claire Brennan, National Fundraising Officer for Lifeboats Ireland, the awarding of the Gold Badge is rare and only occurs in cases where “individuals have given  exceptional service over a long period to the R.N.L.I. and Sheila certainly fits into that category”.  Sheila O Driscoll first became involved with lifeboats over 35 years ago when she lived in Baltimore where her late husband Billy was a lifeboatman. She has fundraised tirelessly for over 30 years with a flag day annually on Regatta Day and was presented with the Silver Badge  in 1989. Since the arrival of the lifeboat to Castletownbere in 1997, fundraising has increased enormously and events have become more varied. Sheila is “thrilled to have received the Gold Badge” and is quick to point out that fundraising is a team effort and she works closely with Lifeboat Chaplain, Fr Sean O’Shea (who will receive the Silver Badge shortly) and Fundraising Treasurer, Mr Joe Turner. She also stated that,  “Castletownbere Lifeboat collected over ε67,000 last year and this was mainly due to the generosity of the people of the Beara peninsula”.

The Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards is the R.N.L.I.’s most prestigious event of the year and recognises the tireless efforts of the fundraising volunteers and the bravery of the largely volunteer lifeboat crews. Sheila  travelled to London on Wednesday last with her family, including her son, lifeboat coxswain, Brian, and received her award along with others who have shown huge commitment in the management and operation of the R.N.L.I.’s 229 lifeboat stations. Among the recipients was Mr Fergal Walsh, the emergency mechanic from Ballycotton Lofeboat Station, who received the Silver Medal for rescuing a drowning teenager in hazardous conditions.

12^th May 2002 : 5.30 p.m.
West Cork Fundraiser to receive Award from Sir Richard Branson

 Mrs Sheila O’Driscoll, fundraising secretary for Castletownbere Lifeboat Station, will be honoured by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and receive the Gold Badge from Sir Richard Branson, at the charity’s Annual Presentation of Awards at the Barbican Centre in London on Thursday next, 16^th May.

According to Ms Claire Brennan, National Fundraising Officer for Lifeboats Ireland, the awarding of the Gold Badge is rare and only occurs in cases where “individuals have given  exceptional service over a long period to the R.N.L.I. and Sheila certainly fits into that category”. 

Sheila O Driscoll first became involved with lifeboats over 35 years ago when she lived in Baltimore where her late husband Billy was a lifeboatman. She has fundraised tirelessly for over 30 years with a flag day annually on Regatta Day and was presented with the Silver Badge  in 1989. Since the arrival of the lifeboat to Castletownbere in 1997, fundraising has increased enormously and events have become more varied.

Sheila is “thrilled to be receiving the Gold Badge” and is quick to point out that fundraising is a team effort and she works closely with Lifeboat Chaplain, Fr Sean O’Shea (who will receive the Silver Badge shortly) and Fundraising Treasurer, Mr Joe Turner. She also stated that,  “Castletownbere Lifeboat collected over ε67,000 last year and this was mainly due to the generosity of the people of the Beara peninsula”. 

The Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards is the R.N.L.I.’s most prestigious event of the year and recognises the tireless efforts of the fundraising volunteers and the bravery of the largely volunteer lifeboat crews. Sheila will travel to London on Wednesday next with her family, including her son, lifeboat coxswain, Brian, to receive her award along with others who have shown huge commitment in the management and operation of the R.N.L.I.’s 229 lifeboat stations.