On 1 May, the people of Ireland got behind their volunteer lifeboat crews as part of the MAYDAY campaign, supported by food company John West. We asked the public to donate or hold a fundraising event – and the support blew us away. So much so, that we now hope to do this every year.

Crew members from Howth and Newcastle Lifeboat Stations launched the campaign on Dublin’s Grafton Street. Newcastle's Sharon Pollock is pictured.

John West Managing Director Brendan Murphy says: ’We are hoping that 1 May will become synonymous with Irish people playing their part in saving lives at sea. We appreciate any donations that are made to the RNLI, no matter how small.’