Donegal RNLI lifesavers Laura and Richard Gillespie will answer the Christmas call

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.

On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews such as those at Lough Swilly, Arranmore and Bundoran, 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 crew members preparing for a Christmas on-call are husband and wife Richard and Laura Gillespie from Bundoran RNLI.

The lifeboat has always been a part of family life for Laura. Her father Joe McNulty was one of the founders of the original Bundoran Inshore Rescue Service before it went on to be Bundoran RNLI 30 years ago, in 1994. Joe is now the station treasurer while Laura’s brother Kealan is a helm. Laura joined the crew in 2012 while Richard, following in his brother Brian’s footsteps, who has over 30 years volunteering in Bundoran station, became a crew member a couple of years earlier in 2010 and helm in 2020.

It was Laura’s father Joe who inspired her to get involved: “From when I was small, I have been down at the lifeboat station. I grew up with it. I remember as a child after there was a storm and a bit of damage to the station, the lifeboat was stored in our garage for a period, and I would go out to play on it.”

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With Richard and Laura now having three young children of their own - Matthew who is six, Eibhlin who is four and Darragh who is one, responding to the pager adds a new dynamic to both lifeboat and family life: ‘I took a break when having the children and have only recently returned to training but we have discussed taking it in turns when I am back fully. The children love coming to the station and seeing Mammy and Daddy in our full kit training or heading out on a shout. It makes me very proud and a bit nervous to think that one day they may join the crew in Bundoran as the next generation of the Gillespie and McNulty families saving lives in our area’.

As for what Laura finds most rewarding about being involved, she says: “I think it is the camaraderie among the station team that I enjoy most but also seeing the impact and how grateful people are when we do carry out a rescue. Sometimes we respond and it’s a small thing for us in our day, but when families come back and visit to say thanks it is then you realise the difference we make as volunteers.”

As she looks ahead to another Christmas, Laura knows her family and her fellow crew members, are ready: “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 like all RNLI crews, we at Bundoran are prepared to leave our own celebrations to help others.

“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, please click here.