Call to support lifeboat team's Mayday Mile fundraiser

Lough Derg RNLI’s fundraiser for May

The RNLI has released data from 2025, which shows lifeboats across the island of Ireland launched 967 times last year with volunteer crews at its 46 lifeboat stations, bringing 912 people to safety, 17 of whom were lives saved. 280 of those launches were carried out in the hours of darkness.

In 2025 Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat - Jean Spier - launched 17 times and brought 21 people to safety. Three of those launches were in the hours of darkness.

The RNLI figures shows the high demand on lifeboat crews and so the charity is putting out its own Mayday call, urging the public to get involved with its biggest national fundraising event, the RNLI Mayday Mile: https://fundraise.rnli.org/event/mayday-mile/registration.

Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every cent raised helping to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond.

Owen Cavanagh, Helm at Lough Derg RNLI says: “Each year we see how quickly things can change on the water. Our crews are always ready to respond, but we can only do what we do thanks to the public’s generosity. This May, we’re asking people to step up and support us through the Mayday Mile so we can keep saving lives when it matters most.

“The new figures show just how demanding last year was. Every launch represents someone in urgent need - and our volunteers drop everything to help. With summer approaching, Mayday is our chance to make sure we have the equipment and training needed for whatever comes next.”

Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.

Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Water Safety Lead, added: “These latest statistics make it clear that our lifesaving service remains as vital as ever. Whether it’s paddleboarders caught by offshore winds, walkers stranded by the tide or boaters in difficulty, our crews are answering calls every day of the year.

“Taking part in the Mayday Mile is a simple way for people to support our volunteers. Every euro raised helps ensure our crews can launch at a moment’s notice - and be there for families when they need us most.”

HOW TO SUPPORT

To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday