Farming TV star hopes Mayday fundraiser ploughs in cash for Lytham RNLI

Tom, who hosts game show The Fast and the Farmer-ish will run from Lytham St Annes' inshore boathouse to the all-weather lifeboat boathouse on 1 May 2022 at 11am.

With demand for its lifesaving services at a high and the continued popularity of staycations, the RNLI charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call. The RNLI is urging the public to take part in Mayday Mile events happening across the north west. The events aim to raise essential funds to provide vital training and equipment to keep RNLI lifesavers safe, while they risk their lives to save others.

The start of the annual Leg It lifeboat fun run on Sunday 1 May is fast approaching and Tom has announced he is to start the month long fund raising by being first away, running along the promenade. The Pemberton family of farmers have been long-time supporters of the Lytham St Annes RNLI Station.

The popular fun run is for runners, walkers, ramblers, push chair pushers, wheelchair users, dog walkers, or cyclists, however you choose to do it.

Participants can choose when it is most convenient for themselves throughout the month of May and travel the 3.5 miles (5.65Km) in either direction between the Lytham St Annes' two boathouses, the inshore lifeboat house on Central Beach (FY8 5LD) and the all-weather lifeboat station on South Promenade (FY8 1SJ) .

The route along the coast provides beautiful views across the Ribble Estuary and the Irish Sea.

There are a number of themed weekends throughout the month long fundraiser, although normal participation on those days is always welcomed.

The idea for the run is to give all participants a pleasant day out as well as to raise money for the Lytham RNLI to continue saving lives at sea. It is hoped a donation will be made by each participant towards this as the RNLI is reliant on voluntary donations.

Themed weekends are as follows:

· May 1/2: Official start with Tom Pemberton at 11am on Sunday. There will be a lifeboat crew presence including Stormy Stan, the RNLI official mascot.

· May 7/8: Wheelie weekend/ Roll with it – Bikes, pushchairs, strollers, skates, wheelchairs - all encouraged.

· May 14/15: Walk with your dog

· 21/22 May: Fancy dress weekend

· 28/29 May: Family Focus

Commemorative 2022 T shirts are available to buy at £10 each, child £8, from the station’s two souvenir shops on Central Beach and South Promenade and from Ansdell Post Office, Woodlands Road, and from Pemberton’s Farm Shop on Ballam Road. All profits will go to help the RNLI continue saving lives.

There’s no need to register for the run. Participants are asked to share photographs at the start and finish and share Lytham RNLI's Facebook. To show your support and donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/legit2022

For more information please contact Alison Young [email protected]

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact David Forshaw, Lytham St Annes volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07904 685 206 [[email protected]] or Eleri Roberts, RNLI Area Media Officer on 07771941390 [[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.

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.