Lifesaving is a family affair for Portrush RNLI volunteer on call this Christmas

And, for Roo, the RNLI is a family affair. Roo is on the lifeboat while mum Jan and 92-year-old granny Pat are dedicated fundraisers for the charity.

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 Portrush, Red Bay and Larne in country Antrim 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.

Roo is one of many RNLI volunteers on call over Christmas. Passionate about the water from a young age and growing up in Whitehead, his parents realised that the family’s time spent in their caravan in Portrush was where their three boys were happiest, particularly on or near the water.

They made the decision to relocate to Portrush and the family never looked back. Roo signed up to volunteer for lifeboat crew, having to wait a couple of years as the pandemic happened. Once he joined, he never looked back.

Commenting on her son’s volunteering for the lifeboat Jan McCrudden said: “I was an A&E nurse in the Royal Victoria and I’ve seen first hand the devastation that happens to families when they lose a loved one.

"I find it hard to put into words how proud we, his family, are of him. That he will go out and do those things for someone he doesn’t know says everything about him. Whenever I know the lifeboat is out, I always send him a little text, wishing him a safe return.

"My mum Pat is also a proud granny. She gets people to donate to the lifeboats by putting five pence coins in the little jam pots and she’s raised thousands of pounds through this. She keeps all her neighbours up to date on the news from Portrush RNLI.”

Roo is a helm on the station’s inshore lifeboat and a navigator on the all-weather Severn class. This will be his fourth Christmas on call.

Settled in Portrush, with wife Rachel and their dog Jax, he is a self-employed web developer. Living about a minute from the lifeboat station, means he can drop everything when the pager goes off, and make the shout.

Roo said: “The crew is a family and we have a close bond. I love the training and I love the casualty care side of it. Everyone has their strengths and we learn from each other.

" I honestly feel that when people might be having the worst day of their lives, if you can be there for them and help them, that’s pretty amazing.”

As for where the name Roo came from, nobody is sure but his mum thinks it may be a childhood love for Winnie the Pooh, which became Roo.

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal