Grieving families of North Wales fishermen donate £11,500 to RNLI volunteers who helped search for them

Family members of three fishermen who lost their lives at sea have handed a cheque for £11,500 to the RNLI volunteers who helped to search for them.

The money was raised by the families and friends of Carl McGrath, Ross Ballantine and Alan Minard, who disappeared aboard the fishing vessel the Nicola Faith in January.

A large scale search operation was launched off the coast of Colwyn Bay, but sadly the bodies of the three men were later discovered on the Wirral and Blackpool.

The sunken vessel itself was located 1.9 nautical miles off Rhos Point last month.

The donation by the families was accepted on behalf of the charity yesterday by Llandudno station coxswain Graham Heritage.

Carl’s family were there to meet some of the volunteers who helped search for him and his two crewmates Ross and Alan.

They received a warm welcome from Llandudno RNLI volunteers, who along with Rhyl, Conwy, Beaumaris and Hoylake RNLI crews collectively spent over 90 hours searching for the missing vessel.

Through their grief, thee families found the strength to fundraise for the RNLI charity and the community has rallied around to offer their support.

Carl’s mum Julie, sister Lauren and partner Jake Cox said a personal thank you to the crew whilst handing over the kind gift.

Lauren said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and so thankful for all the support we have received during such a difficult time.

“As a family we want to thank the RNLI and everyone involved in the search for the three lads, the work they have done is incredible and is indeed heart-warming.

“I am just glad we can finally lay my brother Carl, Alan and Ross to rest and we can try and rebuild our lives while remembering the memories all three have left behind.”

The RNLI has been touched by the generosity and the courage shown by all three families and the local community.

Alun Pari Huws, who was duty launching authority when the alarm was raised said: “The family has shown such compassion to think of all our crews when they were going through so much turmoil.

“It was not the outcome any of us had hoped and prayed for and the search deeply affected our crews.

“The funds raised will help ensure our crews can continue to go out to sea in what we anticipate to be a busy period on the coast.
“The amount raised really is phenomenal.

“It has been such a pleasure to meet with the family today and show them and the community how much this kind gift is appreciated by all at the RNLI.”