12 neighbours among Lough Derg RNLI lifesavers on call this Christmas

On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period* every year, with 119 launches in 2024.

Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews including those at Lough Derg are ready to leave their celebrations with friends and family to battle the elements and save lives on the water.

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 those preparing for a Christmas on call at Lough Derg RNLI are 12 neighbours whose houses are dotted along the road in the village of Dromineer. Simultaneously, they respond from door to door as their pagers go off and the call for help comes in.

One of those neighbours is James Corballis, a native of Kilkenny who relocated from Galway to Dromineer with his fiancée in May 2024.

‘I moved to Galway after college and joined the lifeboat crew there in 2020. Then in 2024, my fiancée and I decided to move to Dromineer where we both have spent our summers sailing since we were children. The draw was the lake, and it was a bonus that I could keep my foot in the door by continuing to volunteer as a crew member with Lough Derg RNLI.’

When the pagers go off, James says his neighbours to his left, to his right, up and down the road, head off and they tend to meet at some point as they make their way to the lifeboat station.

A sound engineer by trade, James says there is great reward in being able to give your time: ‘The nature of my work can be seasonal, and I find I have a lot of time during the week to be available if needed. It is just great to be able to help out while also having the opportunity to be on the lake.’

As for being on call at Christmas, James says the approach will be the same as every other day of the year: ‘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 enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal

Ends

*Christmas period refers to 24 December – 1 January inclusive and launch statistics cover the RNLI in Ireland and the UK.

2024: 119

2023: 120

2022: 102

2021: 107

2020: 108

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.