Foyle Search and Rescue annual bucket appeal this week

By Richard O'Reilly

Since  its foundation in 1993 Foyle Search and Rescue has prevented 3,002 potential suicides, rescued 354 people from the water and recovered, sadly, 132 bodies.

FSR started from humble beginnings.  After a significant loss of life in the river people, locals began to patrol up and down the river.  

These early volunteers would keep 10p's in their pockets, allowing them to dash to the nearest payphone and then call the emergency services should they be required.

From there it has involved into a professional rescue service which covers the River Foyle.

This week marks the annual bucket appeal, where volunteers head door-to-door collecting funds to help support the rescue service.

FSR cost in excess of £200,000 pounds per year to operate, Pat Carlin of Foyle Search and rescue says the public is responsible for 85% of its funding.

"Without the support of the public we simply wouldn't exist" said Pat "the charity very much appreciates that they support us each year."

Day 2 bucket appeal collections c'side creggan foyle rd bishop street brandywell branch templegove white house w'side kilfennan belt road pic.twitter.com/dsWfItbAlB

— Foyle Search& Rescue (@Foylerescue) June 20, 2017

Despite collecting funds the service never sleeps. "We've been extremely busy this year, and we've been out the past three nights in a row on call outs" said Pat "in addition to the door-to-door fundraising we're still doing what we do on a daily basis"