Dedicated RNLI fundraiser is running the South West Coast Path through September
Simon Marchant, a passionate supporter of the RNLI, is currently running the entire 630 miles of the South West coast path to raise money for the charity. He plans to visit every lifeboat station in his tracks, including St. Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly.
Simon was hoping to run the London Marathon earlier this year, but was unable to take part due to the coronavirus pandemic. He was eager to raise money for the RNLI through a different type of challenge and chose to tackle the South West coast path – a staggering 24 marathons!
Simon began the longest established national trail at Minehead in Somerset on Tuesday 1 September, and made it to Appledore, Devon by Saturday 6 September. He is running completely solo so any support for this huge challenge will really spur him on to complete the 630 miles by the beginning of October.
A recent update from Simon on Friday (11 September), saw him tackling the rugged north Cornish coast from St. Agnes to St. Ives where he stopped outside the RNLI lifeboat stations on route (Newquay, St. Agnes and St. Ives).
He also managed to visit Perranporth RNLI lifeguards where his admiration began for the charity 17 years ago. A close relative of Simon’s got into significant difficulty in the water and was luckily spotted by the lifeguards, along with the help of two surfers and HM Coastguard. The lifeguard’s quick response and professionalism helped to save his relative’s life and Simon is determined to raise as much awareness as possible for the RNLI.
Simon is now on his way over to the Isles of Scilly (getting close to the half-way point) where he plans to stop outside St. Mary’s lifeboat station and explore the islands.
He is aiming to run about 20 miles per day, camping and staying in the odd bed and breakfast on his way around, and will soon be heading towards Falmouth and beyond. He is hoping to finish the challenge at Poole harbour, where he plans to take part in the Virtual London Marathon on 4 October completing his last leg of the trail.
Simon has been a committed fundraiser for the RNLI for over a decade, completing the Lands’ End to John O’Groats cycle 12 years ago, and cycling from Calais to Gibraltar 8 years ago. It’s fair to say that Simon certainly enjoys an endurance challenge!
Simon has set up a Just Giving Fundraising Page where you can donate to support this almighty challenge and is also on Strava documenting his journey when phone signal allows – good luck Simon!
Notes to editors
- To donate, please follow this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/swcp-for-rnli
- Please find attached photos of Simon running the South West Coast Path
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For more information please contact Becky Bright, Regional Media Engagement Placement on [email protected] or 07375855897, or Marianne Quinn, Regional Media Officer, on [email protected] or 07786 668847, or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or via [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.
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