Largs RNLI Crew cheer Claire over the finish line
Claire McRae, Press Officer at Largs RNLI has completed her epic autumn running challenge for the RNLI raising over £500 for the charity.
On Sunday 7 November Claire crossed her very own finish line outside the boathouse at the Largs RNLI lifeboat station. Claire had planned the route for her final virtual marathon, the NYC marathon, to finish at the lifeboat station in Largs, however strong winds on the day led to a change of route for the marathon event followed by an additional short run along the promenade to mark the end of her challenge.
Claire, who has been fundraising for the RNLI for the past nine years, took on a marathon task this autumn running three half marathons and four full marathons in under two months. Although she had previously taken part in running events she had never attempted anything of this scale and proved in true RNLI style ‘with courage nothing is impossible’.
Friends, family and crew turned out to cheer Claire over the finish line and help her to celebrate a what is a fantastic achievement.
Claire said: 'I have been fundraising for the RNLI for the past nine years and have raised several thousand pounds. The work done by the RNLI is so important. No one ever expects to be in a situation where they need help at sea, but if they do they just expect the big orange boat to be there for them and this is my way of helping the RNLI continue saving lives at sea.
'It was fantastic on Sunday to see everyone waiting for me outside the lifeboat station, I was tired and my legs were sore after completing the virtual NYC Marathon however as soon as I noticed everyone standing there I just started to smile. I could see the bright yellow jackets and wellies as soon as I tuned the corner onto the promenade.
'I am so thankful to have such amazing and supportive family and friends, including the crew at Largs RNLI. I could not have asked for a better way to complete what has been a very tough challenge.'
Claire has already signed up for running events in 2022 and will continue raising funds and awareness for the RNLI, as well as wearing her yellow wellies when she is down at Largs lifeboat station.
To donate to Claire’s fundraising efforts for this epic challenge her sponsorship page is:
https://www.justgiving.com/clairerunsberlin
RNLI media contacts
Claire McRae, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07738681546, [email protected]
Brian Rankin, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810862468, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 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
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.