RNLI volunteers in Cork will be ready if needed at Christmas

RNLI lifesavers from Cork stations are preparing to answer calls this festive season, as volunteers across Ireland have launched the organisation’s annual Christmas fundraiser.

As the RNLI comes to the end of its milestone 200th year, the charity is launching its annual Christmas appeal, with a focus on the volunteer crew members who will be spending Christmas on call.

On an annual average, the RNLI lifeboats across Ireland and the UK are launched more than 100 times during the Christmas period, which spans from December 24 to January 1, even in the most adverse of weather conditions.

RNLI crews are trained to battle the elements to save lives at sea, with these rescues, and others undertaken year round, only made possible by the charity’s generous supporters helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep volunteers prepared and protected.

While Christmas is a time for family and friends, the RNLI’s volunteer crews will be ready to leave their own celebrations this festive season and answer any call for help.

The charity has eight lifeboat stations on the Cork coast at Youghal, Ballycotton, Crosshaven, Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Union Hall, Baltimore and Castletownbere, where volunteer crews will be on call throughout the entire Christmas period, ready to respond to any requests for assistance.

Courtmacsherry was one of the first stations established in Ireland while Union Hall is one of the newest, celebrating its 10th birthday this year.

Recently, crew members from around the county gathered at Cork Airport to promote water safety with a pop-up installation depicting pertinent information about remaining safe in the water.

The exhibition was launched by the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, and included audio-visual displays, interactive games and practical water safety messaging.

The pop-up was located in the terminal building and was part of a series of water safety initiatives running around the country.

Speaking on the annual Christmas fundraising appeal, one volunteer said: “There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe to their families — especially at Christmas.

“Even at this time of year, people still get in trouble in the water, and we’re all prepared to leave our own celebrations to help them. But as volunteer lifeboat crew, we couldn’t launch without kind donations from the public, which fund the kit, training and equipment we need to save others and get home safely to our own families.”

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas appeal, and to enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.