Leg It for Lytham St Annes RNLI Lifeboats 2020 starts its month long run
The Town Crier sets the Coxswain off on the revised run.
Colin Ballard, Town Crier for the Manor of Lytham, announced the start of the annual 5.6K (3½ mile) run, walk, dawdle, however you wish to do it, between the two RNLI Lytham St Annes Station boathouses and set the first group off.
First away at 9.15am on the 1 September were Coxswain / Mechanic Tom Stuart, with Coxswain / Mechanic Martin Jaggs, Staff Coxswain Andrew McHaffie and crew member John Chamley all taking up the challenge.
This year sadly, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, participants will have to take part at a time convenient to themselves but they have the advantage of the opening of the new promenades to give them great views over the Irish Sea and on a good day the views of the Welsh Mountains in the background.
It is hoped that participants will enjoy themselves as well as raise much needed funds for the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.
Coxswain Tom Stuart said, 'Thank you to all who plan to do the run, however and whenever you decide to do it, and for your support for the cause of saving lives at sea. Hopefully we will be back to normal or as near as possible, for the 2021 Run.'
Like all charities, the RNLI has been hit hard by Covid-19 with all fundraising events cancelled. However, it continues to be called on to save lives at sea with its highly trained volunteer crew members being on call 24 hours a day, ready to risk their lives in all weathers to help others. The expenses to launch a lifeboat to rescue people have remained the same but income to cover this has fallen dramatically with the onset of the Covid-19 virus and lockdowns.
To help raise funds to allow the sea rescue charity to continue its vital work and also give everyone an enjoyable day out an event is going ahead this September. The popular annual challenge to raise these vital funds in Lytham St Annes, 'Leg it for the Lifeboats', could not take place in May 2020 as scheduled but it can now go ahead, albeit in a very different and safe way.
During the whole of September, you can take up the challenge of the 5.65 km (or 3.5 miles) route from our Lytham boathouse (on Central Beach, FY8 5LG) to our St Annes boathouse on South Promenade, Eastbank Road, FY8 1SJ). Everyone is welcome – runners, walkers, toddlers, pram pushers, dog walkers, wheel chair and mobility scooter users. Fancy dress is not necessary but if you wish to dress up to brighten the day please do so.
The beauty of having a month to complete the challenge is that it up to you when you can fit it in to your time schedule and you can take part any time of day on any day of the week. There is the added bonus of using our brand new, just opened promenade coastal path from Lytham to the beach at St Annes which, providing the weather is good, gives great views over the Ribble Estuary and the Irish Sea to the Welsh mountains.
There’s no need to register. All we ask is that you take some photographs at the start and finish and share them with us at our Facebook page (@LythamStAnnesRnliPage) so we can spread the word and then please go on our Just Giving page to make a donation. We suggest £10 per adult and £5 per child as this is the usual cost but the amount is entirely up to you. You can also ask your supporters to sponsor you and donate too if you wish. Thank you.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lythamstannesbranch
Unfortunately there won’t be a welcoming café and barbeque at the boathouse as usual but you will be rewarded with the knowledge that you have helped to raise much needed funds for this vital life saving service.
For more information or any queries please contact
Alison Young at email address [email protected]
Ends
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.