Limerick Marine Search and Rescue team up with Sarsfield Credit Union

A WELL-regarded Limerick charity has received a huge boost after being named charity partner to the Sarsfield Credit Union.

The year 2019 has started off on the right track for Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, after the Glentworth Street-based lender picked the charity to work with throughout the year.

Sarsfield Credit Union asked its members to choose between three charities – the others being the Bluebox Creative Learning Centre and Blood Bikes Mid-West – to team-up with over the next 12 months.

And it is Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, based at Atlas Avenue, which received the most votes, and €1,000 initially, with the other two charities being awarded €250 each.

Cox officer Joe Morgan was delighted, saying: “It’s very humbling, as there are an awful lot of charities out there at the moment. It just shows what the public think of you, which is great. To be thought of as highly as that is just wonderful.”

Established in 1986 by sports divers Tony Cusack and Jimmy Connors, Marine Search and Rescue keeps Limerick people safe from the unpredictable waters of the River Shannon.

With 26 volunteers on board, the charity donates its time to aid their community, holding summer camps to teach children and adults about water safety in a positive environment.

Asked why he feels members of the Credit Union picked his charity, Joe added: “We are established a long time. Unfortunately, the river has touched an awful lot of people one way or the other, be it through family or neighbours or friends. I think most people will have heard of us at one stage or another.”

Limerick Marine Search and Rescue will now receive a big feature, as well as ongoing media promotion from the credit union both online and on the pages of this very newspaper, with branch staff also fundraising over 12 months.