31 January 2014
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Ballycotton RNLI fundraising branch continue a long and successful tradition in holding a fundraising gala dinner at Ballymaloe House tonight. This year sees the Allen family celebrate 50 years in business at Ballymaloe House and the association is made even more special as Mrs Myrtle Allen first met Ivan Allen at an RNLI dinner in Ballymaloe House when it was owned by the Simpson family.
The RNLI lifeboat service in Ireland is the charity that saves lives at sea. Lifeboat crews provide lifesaving cover around the coast year-round. On average it costs €1,343 to kit out a lifeboat crewmember, €1,502 to train a crewmember and €257,000 to run the Ballycotton lifeboat station annually. All this is made possible through the generosity of the public.
The Ballycotton RNLI Gala dinner will be a little different from previous years as the theme is Casino Royale. Guests at the magical black-tie Casino Royale night will enjoy a red carpet arrival, vodka martini musical reception, Blackjack, Roulette, magic, Jazz and dancing, while enjoying the famed Ballymaloe dinner.
There will also be spot prizes and giveaways throughout the night and a silent raffle. Prizes that have so far been generously donated include an all- inclusive weekend for two in Paris courtesy of Lee Travel, a three month gym membership at the Garryvoe Hotel and a lunch and afternoon cookery demonstration for two at the Ballymaloe Cookery School.
Commenting on the upcoming gala dinner Ballycotton RNLI Fundraising Chairperson Fiona Flynn said, “This event is always a popular one on our fundraising calendar and is hugely supported locally. It promises to be a great night and the committee has been working extremely hard to pull out all the stops. Everyone in Ballycotton and the surrounding area is familiar with the work of the RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews who launch in all weathers to all calls for assistance and it is great to be able to put on a night like this during a cold and miserable January to support them in their work.’
Tickets for the event are priced at €95 per person and Ballymaloe is offering a special B&B price for the night. The reception starts at 7.30pm with dinner served at 8.30pm.