RNLI lifeguards to take part in eight hour charity relay run at King Edwards Bay
On Saturday 11 August RNLI lifeguards and local gym members are set to compete in an eight hour stair relay to raise money for two coastal charities.
From 10am to 6pm, over 60 people will be taking part in the relay run at King Edward’s Bay to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB).
The relay run will see RNLI lifeguards competing against members of ClassFit, a gym based in North Shields. Shiremoor’s Wolfslair gym will also make up a third team and will run independently to raise money for the charities.
The relay will involve a member of each team running a continuous loop up the North stairs of King Edward’s Bay, along the seafront, and back down to the lower promenade of the Bay before tagging the next runner.
The runners will do this continuously for eight hours to coincide with the working hours of an RNLI lifeguard shift.
The fundraising event has been organised by Will Hogg, a dedicated lifeguard for 17 years since he was 16-years-old, eight of which have been for the RNLI charity.
Discussing the fundraising event and why he became a lifeguard, Will said: ‘Lifeguarding pretty much runs in the family. My grandfather was the Foreshore Officer of Tynemouth, in charge of the lifeguard service in the late 60s, and my dad volunteered for the TVLB for 25 years, and was chairman for three of those – so it’s a charity I continue to support alongside the RNLI.’
‘We are all looking forward to the relay run this weekend, and would love for people to come along, donate and cheer the runners on as we are raising money for two fantastic coastal charities.’
The money raised will then be split between the TVLB and RNLI.
If you would like to donate please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kingeddiesstairchallenge
Contacts
For more information on the event, please contact Will Hogg at [email protected]
For press enquiries please contact Megan McBride, RNLI Media Engagement Placement North East and East, on 07391544363 or at: [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.