RNLI lifesavers from County Down prepare to answer the call this Christmas
RNLI lifesavers from County Down prepare to answer the call this Christmas
Lifeboats News Release
As the RNLI comes to the end of its milestone 200th year, the charity is launching its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, with a focus on the volunteer crew members who are preparing to spend Christmas on call.
Donaghadee Crew celebrating the RNLI's 200th Anniversary
On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues, and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but the RNLI’s volunteer crews are ready to leave their own celebrations this festive season and answer the call for help. Among the thousands of crews preparing for a Christmas on call are those at Bangor, Portaferry, Donaghadee, Kilkeel and Newcastle lifeboat stations.
John Ashwood, a Coxswain at Donaghadee RNLI, has been a volunteer for over 30 years.
‘Back when I was in my teens I worked in the passenger boats that ran trips out to the Copeland islands fishing which I did for four years’ John explains. ‘The then mechanic at Donaghadee asked me one night if I was interested in becoming a volunteer for the RNLI and I haven’t look back since.’
John first joined in 1994 and in 2001 he became what was knowns as Second Coxswain. Over the years he has undertaken various training courses to and ehance his lifesaving skills.
‘Learning how to manage different situations has helped build up my experience tremendously,’ John says. ‘Working with other crew members from around the UK and Ireland is great as we all have different backgrounds and bounce off each other during the training.’
There are countless memorable call outs for John:
‘One that stands out was the night at 2.15am when we received news that a yacht had run aground on a stretch of rocks near Ballywalter, just off Millisle. It had been a very poor evening and navigating through a choppy swell and high winds when responding, we came across the vessel with three crew members onboard, that was stuck on the rocks. Getting the boat and crew off the rocks was a challenging task and was an experience I’ll never forget. The three onboard were seasoned sailors and despite being understandably quite frightened and shaken up, they were very grateful for being rescued with little damage to their boat.’
Reflecting on his over 30 years of service, John says: ‘The most challenging aspect of being a volunteer in any role, is trying to juggle your family life alongside work. Everyone has such busy lives these days and it can be tough dropping whatever you’re doing and going but that is also part and parcel of the role and I wouldn’t change it for the world.’
As he looks ahead to Christmas, John knows his crew are ready to respond if needed:
‘Going to shouts over Christmas is just like any other day, we are on call 365 days a year and whatever comes up we know that thanks to our training we are more than capable to deal with any scenario that comes our way.
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 we are very grateful.’
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit:
RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
Ends
*’Christmas period’ refers to 24 December – 1 January inclusive
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 00353 87 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 00353 87 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 00353 874764436 or email [email protected]
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 10 lifeboat stations in Northern Ireland and has lifeguard beaches along the Causeway Coast and in county Down which it operates seasonally. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
RNLI at 200
In 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit
RNLI.org/200.
RNLI/Michael Jess
John Ashwood at the 200th Anniversary First Presbyterian Church Service
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.