Running up a Towering achievement to help the RNLI save lives in London

The RNLI Tower Run will see runners attempt to climb 1,120 steps and 56 floors to the top of 22 Bishopsgate to raise funds towards building a new Tower Lifeboat Station by Waterloo Bridge.

The skyscraper holds particular significance for the RNLI as it stands on the site of the London Tavern where the institution was founded in 1824.

Nearly 200 years after that event, the charity that saves lives at sea is calling on supporters to return to the spot to help the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat station – Tower RNLI.

Since opening on the Thames in 2002 the station’s lifeboats have launched more than 9,000 times and saved more than 350 lives, helping not only people in danger on the water, but also those undergoing mental health crises and those trapped on the foreshore.

But now the lifesavers need the public’s help. As the station celebrates it’s twentieth anniversary it is now beyond economic repair, so a new state-of-the-art station needs to be built – and running skywards is a great way to help it happen.

‘Our crews are always racing to save lives on the Thames so it would give us a tremendous boost to know supporters are also stepping up to this extraordinary challenge to help us continue,’ said Tower Station Manager Kevin Maynard. ‘It seems really fitting that this event is taking place where the RNLI first started,’ he added.

The event will take place on Saturday 19 February and those making it to the 56^th floor will be treated to incredible uninterrupted views across London. They will also be able to toast their success at a special reception celebrating their fundraising efforts as well as receiving a souvenir t shirt and medal.

Those wanting to take part in the event can sign up using the following links:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-rnli-tower-run-tickets-166820230801?aff=PR

bit.ly/RNLITOWERPR

Photos:

Tower 1: artwork from the Tower Run appeal. Credit RNLI

Tower 2: Tower RNLI Lifeboat Hearn Medicine Chest pictured by Tower Bridge. Credit RNLI/Laura Lewis

Tower 3: The current Tower Lifeboat Station which needs replacing with a modern facility. Credit RNLI

Tower 4: The current Tower Lifeboat Station which is based on a floating pontoon by Waterloo Bridge. Credit RNLI

Tower 5: Tower Lifeboat Station Manager Kevin Maynard. Credit RNLI

Note for editors.

All funds raised from this event will go towards the building of a new Tower Lifeboat Station at Waterloo Bridge.

For safety runners will start in staggered groups of a maximum of 30 runners every 30 minutes. On the day there will be first aid points every five floors and St John Ambulance medics will be in attendance.

The National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (today known as the RNLI) was founded on 4 March 1824 at a meeting of the London Tavern.

The RNLI has four lifeboat stations on the Thames, Tower, Chiswick, Teddington and Gravesend. They were opened in 2002 following the public inquiry into the Marchioness Disaster of 1989 in which 51 people died when the Thames river boat collided with the dredger Bowbelle.

More information on the history and work of Tower Lifeboat Station and the Appeal be found here: https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2021/august/tower-appeal

RNLI Media contacts:

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected] For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

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.