RNLI lifesavers from Wexford prepare to answer the call this Christmas
The RNLI is launching its Christmas fundraising appeal, as its volunteer lifeboat crews selflessly prepare to spend their Christmas on call.
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 Courtown, Wexford, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Fethard, are ready to leave their celebrations with friends and family to battle the elements and 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 crew members preparing for a Christmas on call are uncle and niece Andy and Edel Ennis, who by day work alongside each other as electricians while outside of work, can be found encouraging and supporting each other as they train as volunteer crew on the inshore lifeboat at Wexford RNLI.
Indeed, it was Andy who inspired Edel to consider getting involved: ‘With Andy spending time volunteering down at the lifeboat station, I would ask him questions about what was involved, and he would show me videos and photos, and I thought, I would love to do that. I would have done a bit of volunteering in my transition year at school in nursing homes and that, but I was hoping to do something a bit more long term. So, I went down to the station and starting training for shore crew two years ago. There were three trainee lifeboat crew at the time, and I knew I would love to be on the lifeboat so when an opening came along, I took the opportunity to join and started my training in the summer of 2024.’
While she hasn’t been on the lifeboat for any call outs just yet, Edel has responded to two pager alerts which have stood her in good stead: ‘While I wasn’t out on the lifeboat, I was in the station. The first was nerve-racking but I was able to get a sense of the atmosphere in that situation, take everything in, remain calm and learn that I was able for it.’
As for the reward of being involved, Edel says: ‘I think it is when you see the community around us who are appreciative of what we can do to help people, I think that makes people in our community proud.’
Andy meanwhile has been a crew member at Wexford RNLI for four years: ‘My motivation came from working on fishing boats at sea. I often say I am happier at sea than on land, so when I came off the boats, I knew I want to keep doing something and with wanting to do something for charity also, joining the RNLI appealed to me.
‘It is my way of giving back. I enjoy being able to be ready to help, to go down to the station where everyone is top notch, lovely and supportive - we are a great group of friends who are ready to go if needed.’
As Andy, Edel and their fellow crews across Wexford prepare for a Christmas on call, they know the approach will be the same as every other day. Edel adds: ‘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] 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 Courtown, Wexford, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Fethard, are ready to leave their celebrations with friends and family to battle the elements and 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 crew members preparing for a Christmas on call are uncle and niece Andy and Edel Ennis, who by day work alongside each other as electricians while outside of work, can be found encouraging and supporting each other as they train as volunteer crew on the inshore lifeboat at Wexford RNLI.
Indeed, it was Andy who inspired Edel to consider getting involved: ‘With Andy spending time volunteering down at the lifeboat station, I would ask him questions about what was involved, and he would show me videos and photos, and I thought, I would love to do that. I would have done a bit of volunteering in my transition year at school in nursing homes and that, but I was hoping to do something a bit more long term. So, I went down to the station and starting training for shore crew two years ago. There were three trainee lifeboat crew at the time, and I knew I would love to be on the lifeboat so when an opening came along, I took the opportunity to join and started my training in the summer of 2024.’
While she hasn’t been on the lifeboat for any call outs just yet, Edel has responded to two pager alerts which have stood her in good stead: ‘While I wasn’t out on the lifeboat, I was in the station. The first was nerve-racking but I was able to get a sense of the atmosphere in that situation, take everything in, remain calm and learn that I was able for it.’
As for the reward of being involved, Edel says: ‘I think it is when you see the community around us who are appreciative of what we can do to help people, I think that makes people in our community proud.’
Andy meanwhile has been a crew member at Wexford RNLI for four years: ‘My motivation came from working on fishing boats at sea. I often say I am happier at sea than on land, so when I came off the boats, I knew I want to keep doing something and with wanting to do something for charity also, joining the RNLI appealed to me.
‘It is my way of giving back. I enjoy being able to be ready to help, to go down to the station where everyone is top notch, lovely and supportive - we are a great group of friends who are ready to go if needed.’
As Andy, Edel and their fellow crews across Wexford prepare for a Christmas on call, they know the approach will be the same as every other day. Edel adds: ‘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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.