VOLUNTEER crew members at Donaghadee Lifeboat Station have been called out 19 times this year already.
Without hesitation or complaint, they board their all-weather vessel and head straight to sea to help those who have found themselves in need of a helping hand.
And this week they have been in training ahead of one very special job on the lifeboat when they will be responsible for bringing a VIP guest to shore.
It’s tough, dangerous and unpaid work but every December the crew adds a special, non-emergency December call to their diaries to help bring a smile to hundreds of faces back on shore.
On Saturday, December 6, they will be heading in the direction of the North Pole to meet Santa at sea as he makes his way towards Donaghadee.
A spokes-elf for Santa said: “Santa’s home at the North Pole sits at 90°N and to get to Donaghadee, the great-circle distance is approximately 2,443 miles. He has to travel to Latitude: 54.643° N and Longitude −5.533° W which is the address he uses to head towards Donaghadee Harbour.
“It all depends on the wind speed and the energy levels of the reindeer, the timings of arrival can change so the lifeboat crew head out early to meet Santa and bring him safely to shore. They are of course guided by Rudoph’s red nose. They’re a great team and have been doing this for many years.
“On the way to shore, Santa can relax a bit while he reviews his Naughty and Nice list. So far everyone has been on the Nice list.
“Santa is due into Donaghadee around 3pm and then he will make his way through the town on his sleigh and set up in the grotto by around 3.30pm. All the work carried out by the elves across the year, all the making, packing and the training Rudolph and the reindeer have been doing all comes into play. And this trip on Saturday, December 6 is the practice run for the big run on December 24.. Without the Donaghadee Lifeboat crew, it would not be just so much fun.”
Hundreds of people are expected to make their way to Donaghadee for the opening of the Christmas market off Church Lane from 12noon -to 5pm, with many assembling at the harbour at 2.30pm when the town’s most popular meeter and greeter Alaa Eissa will get the party started right beside the lighthouse with lots Christmas fun, singing and a countdown to Santa’s arrival.
Alaa’s friend and boss, Paul Kane, owner the town’s historic Grace Neill’s bar and restaurant, says Alaa, his most experienced waiter, knows just how to get the crowds warmed up and ready for the big arrival.
Paul said: “Alaa has a wonderful way with people and he really knows how to get a party started. Our customers at Grace Neill’s love his birthday renditions and he manages to set the atmosphere beautifully. We are really looking forward to him welcoming Santa to our town. He’s definitely the man for the job and once he has welcomed Santa on shore, he’s coming straight to work to keep the festivities going there too. It’s going to be a wonderful day.”
Donaghadee Lifeboat Station Press Officer, Margaret Ramm, said: “The volunteer crew at Donaghadee Lifeboat station takes great delight in delivering Santa safely every year to visit the children – and the adults – of our town.
Throughout the year we have wonderful support from the community and it’s a pleasure to be able to do this and give a little back like this.
We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas 2025 and hope you’re all on the Nice List!
