Volunteer Des goes the distance for Exmouth RNLI

Des has recently qualified as a Tour Guide at the station and is looking forward to raising funds for Exmouth RNLI by running what will be his 43^rd marathon.

He said ‘I enjoy my work as a volunteer Guide at the lifeboat station, I’m a member of Exmouth Harriers and, as well as volunteering there, I run past it most days on training runs and to raise funds for it seemed the perfect choice’.

Amongst his incredible successful 42 marathon achievements, Des, whose first marathon was in 1980 and who will be 65 in February, has successfully run 17 London Marathons, 3 in New York and was the winner of the New Forest race in 1986. His best time is 2 hours 26 minutes set in the 1987 London Marathon and he aims to complete this year’s event in the top 10 of the 65-69 age group.

Deputy Chair of the Exmouth RNLI Fundraising Committee, Robin Humphreys, said:

'Des is one of the volunteer Tour Guides at the Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Station. He has run 42 marathons to date and is competing in the London Marathon on 28 April, where he will be hoping for good running weather and aims to complete it in 3hrs 20mins. Des will be fundraising for the RNLI and any donations will be gratefully received. We all thank him for his support and wish him the very best of luck.'

The RNLI relies on public help and donations to maintain its rescue service and receives no government funding - anyone wishing to help Des raise important funds for Exmouth RNLI to train and equip lifesavers, share essential water safety advice and save more lives at sea, may do so online at :

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DesWhite

Photographs x3 : Volunteer RNLI Tour Guide Des White at the Exmouth Lifeboat Station.

Photographs credited John Thorogood / Exmouth RNLI.

For more information please telephone John Thorogood, Exmouth RNLI Fundraising Press Officer on 07946 466465, email: [email protected], or Emma Tarling, Exmouth RNLI Press Officer, on 07837 810082 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789

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

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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.