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Still time to join the RNLI Reindeer Run at Moors Park and save lives at sea

Lifeboats News Release

There’s still time to grab your antlers and take part in the RNLI’s annual Reindeer Run in Dorset this Christmas and help save lives at sea all throughout the year.

Photo of Stormy Stan at an RNLI Reindeer Run.

RNLI

There are plenty of opportunities to join the RNLI's Reindeer Run, including a virtual event!

On Sunday 27 November the charity will be holding the annual festive fundraiser at Moors Valley Country Park where it’s hoped hundreds of people will don a pair of antlers and join its mascots Rookie the Reindeer and Stormy Stan to raise money for the charity.

This Christmas, while many people will be enjoying time off with their families, RNLI volunteer’s at the charity’s 238 lifeboat stations will be on call, ready to leave their festive celebrations and launch at a moment’s notice if their pagers sound.

But the Reindeer Run is a way in which supporters can help the charity pay for vital equipment and training without missing their Christmas dinner. Plus the sight of hundreds of runners dressed as reindeers is likely to put a smile on everyone’s faces in the build up to the big day.

The event opens at 8am and there is a choice of 10k or 5k fund runs and even a 1k Santa Saunter that’s perfect for the little ones to take part in. All those who complete the run will receive a free RNLI Reindeer Run medal. There will be prizes for the first woman and first man to cross the finish line in the 10k and 5k runs. Runners, who must register and buy tickets for the event in advance, are encouraged to raise sponsorship which will go directly to saving lives.

‘The Reindeer Run is a great way of supporting the RNLI,’ said Poole Lifeboat volunteer crew member Dave Riley. ‘We always have to be ready in case the pagers go at Christmas, but it’s a big boost to know the Reindeer runners have been giving their support at this busy time of year to help ensure we can launch’.

‘It can be hard on our family and friends if we disappear halfway through Christmas dinner, but the sea and the dangers it can bring never takes a holiday, so nor can we,’ he explained.

For more information or to sign up for the Moors Valley event click here: https://rnli.org/support-us/raise-money/reindeer-run/events-near-you/2022/november/27/rnli-moors-valley-reindeer-run-2022

For those unable to attend the event there is also the opportunity for anyone, anywhere, to take part by joining the RNLI’s virtual Reindeer Run. For the first time the RNLI is setting Reindeer Runners the challenge of running 24 miles throughout December – that’s one mile for every hour RNLI lifesavers are on call everyday, even on Christmas Day.

For more information and to sign up: https://rnli.org/support-us/raise-money/reindeer-run

For any enquiries and questions about the Moors Valley Country Park or virtual Reindeer Run please email: [email protected]

Attached photos: RNLI Reindeer runs in previous years have attracted large entries of runners donning festive antlers.

Note for Editors:

In addition to the entry fee, we encourage all participants to raise as much as they can to help the RNLI continue to save lives at sea. Once registered, an online fundraising page will be automatically set up for you. This can be personalised with a photo and message, and once shared with friends and family should help boost your fundraising.

Moors Valley is 10 miles north of Bournemouth. It’s signposted from the Ashley Heath roundabout at the junction of the A31 and A338, between Ringwood and St Leonards.

Due to the rural nature of the location, some satellite navigation systems and route planners may not be accurate when using the postcode. Please cross-reference with a map. Car parking is available at Moors Valley.

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 Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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, Twitter 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.

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