RNLI lifesavers on Lough Erne 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 Enniskillen and Carrybridge RNLI 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 is Enniskillen RNLI Helm Kane Howe.
A native of Enniskillen, Kane works as a supermarket manager. He joined the lifeboat crew on Lower Lough Erne in 2017 before progressing to become a station Helm in September 2024, following a significant period of commitment and dedication to training and assessment. The role of helm carries more responsibility as Kane is in charge of the lifeboat and his crew during a call out or training exercise on the lake.
His first taste of lifeboating and wanting to volunteer with the RNLI came when he was still in primary school. When he was older, he became a pool lifeguard.
‘I went to Enniskillen Integrated Primary School,’ Kane explains, ‘and I remember many moons ago that we had two speakers from the lifeboat station in Enniskillen come in to speak to us about the charity and what was involved as a crew member. That sparked my interest and I thought about it a lot after that. When I seen the station was looking for new volunteers in 2017, I took my opportunity and applied to get involved.’
As well as volunteering as a helm, Kane is a member of the station’s water safety team and just as he learned from the RNLI as a child, he now helps out in delivering education and water safety advice locally.
As for what he finds most rewarding about being involved, he says: ‘It’s the social aspect. I enjoying going down to the station on a weekly basis to meet my fellow volunteers and train, there is great camaraderie among the team.’
Kane and his fellow volunteers at Enniskillen and Carrybridge RNLI are ready for a Christmas on call and know the approach will be no different than any other day should their pagers go off.
‘There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe to their families – especially at Christmas,’ Kane adds. ‘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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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.