Andrea’s marathon effort to thank RNLI Stonehaven crew
A Stonehaven women has raised almost £1,300 by running the virtual Edinburgh Marathon to thank her local lifeboat crew for saving her life.
Andrea Hide, 48, completed the 26 miles and 385 yards on the last Saturday in May around the local area to raise money for the volunteer RNLI Stonehaven crew.
The 2021 Edinburgh Marathon Festival, which took place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May, was delivered as a virtual event due to ongoing Covid restrictions, with people taking part in the competition by planning their own route.
“I decided to run the Edinburgh Marathon for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as running has always been a passion of mine and the charity is close to my heart,” said Andrea.
“I have suffered with my mental health for the last 24 years, more so than ever in the last five years.
“After being admitted to hospital in August 2019, with the help of medical professionals, family and friends I rediscovered my passion and strength to put my running shoes back on which helped me to cope with my mental health.
“However, with the impact of Covid-19 and other factors I had another setback in August 2020 and could no longer see a positive light and wanted to end the pain.
“I am forever thankful for the incredible response and efforts of the team of volunteers at RNLI Stonehaven that saved my life that night.”
The run
Andrea started out on her marathon effort from the RNLI Stonehaven lifeboat station at the harbour at 8am on Saturday morning, running a route she’d calculated to finish back at the station.
“I tried to take a route that didn’t have too many hills but still ended up running up past Toucks Wood as well as the golf course road twice,” said Andrea.
“I felt really good until the final mile. The morning’s haar definitely helped with cooler conditions but when the sun came out, I really began to feel it.”
She reached her chosen finishing line just after noon, to an enthusiastic welcome from family, friends and members of the lifeboat crew who’d come down to cheer her on.
Dedication
Andy Martin, RNLI Stonehaven’s lifeboat operations manager, said: “We are so grateful to Andrea for this tremendous effort.
“Seeing her power across the finishing line was just remarkable.
“Her generosity and determination to give something back to the organisation has raised a terrific amount of money. It’s absolutely invaluable to let us continue saving lives at sea.”
Andrea said: “I decided towards the end of last year that I wanted to run the Edinburgh Marathon in aid of the RNLI.
“The training has really helped my own mental health and it gave me something to focus on during lockdown.
“Preparing for a marathon was tough, but the support of my husband and two daughters kept me going.
“As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe.
“I really can’t thank the crew enough. Without their efforts that night, my girls wouldn’t have a mum.”
You can still support Andrea's marathon effort on her JustGiving page -
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.