Pound for the RNLI at this year’s Great North Run
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is looking for runners to take part in ‘the world’s greatest half marathon’, the Great North Run.
Up to 57,000 runners will pass over the iconic Tyne Bridge and see the Red Arrows fly overhead as they travel the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to the coast at South Shields.
RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, Anne Scott, says: ‘The Great North Run is truly electric and one of our key fundraising events of the year.
‘With 237 lifeboat stations, the RNLI operates a 24-hour search and rescue service covering 19,000 miles of coastline around the UK and Republic of Ireland, and in 2015 rescued a staggering 7,973 people. As a charity reliant on voluntary donations, fundraising for the RNLI by running in the Great North Run really helps our volunteers to continue saving lives at sea.’
Regular Great North Run runner and volunteer at Blyth Lifeboat Station, Rob Brister, says: ‘The Great North Run is one of my favourite events, it’s a fantastic, warm and friendly atmosphere with the route lined with supporters, live music and performers keeping you entertained the entire route.
‘As a volunteer myself, I really do appreciate the support the charity receives, ensuring we have effective kit and training to continue to operate a 24-hour search and rescue service.’
Even if you’re not a runner you could still get involved in the event by whooping, cheering and shouting your support from the cheering station, providing vital encouragement to the RNLI Running Crew along the route. Alternatively, why not help the runners from the finish line to their well-deserved post-race reception, while getting to enjoy one of the UK’s best loved sporting events from a prime location.
Runners who already have a ballot place can still register to run for the RNLI up until the end of August.
Anyone interested can visit RNLI.org/GreatNorthRun or email [email protected]
For more information please contact Helen Coatsworth, RNLI PR Officer, on 01202 336507 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.